Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines resumed services to Nairobi on 3 June, consolidating its position as Europe's leading carrier to Africa.
This is good news for Kenya and the African continent as a whole. Since 3 June, Brussels Airlines flies again to Nairobi. The Belgian national airline suspended the route 9 years ago. It is returning with an Airbus A330-300, which will connect the two capitals up to six times a week..
The link thus becomes the 18th destination for the Belgian company in Sub-Saharan Africa. This part of the African continent generates 20% in passenger traffic and 40% in revenue of the Belgian company.
"With the exception of Washington and New York, all our long-haul destinations are in Africa. We want to continue to invest in Africa in the future, above all by increasing direct flights to existing destinations."said Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines, to the media present at the inauguration.
With numerous connections beyond Brussels across Europe and the United States, travel options to and from Kenya are greatly expanded thanks to Brussels Airlines' new route.
The other way round, Europe is the second largest market largest issuer, contributing 29 % of Kenya's tourist arrivals. This corresponds to 572,352 arrivals last year. Mainly for leisure and MICE tourism. The Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) believes that the new link will boost the Kenyan economy.
