Kenya Airways (KQ) has cancelled its flights to Somalia, lower than a 300 and sixty five days after reintroducing the route, citing advanced working stipulations.
The amble comes as a blow to the airline, which had relaunched the thrice-weekly service between Nairobi and Mogadishu in February, aiming to elevate regional connectivity.
The airline mentioned the option used to be driven by operational challenges that made the route unsustainable.
This will not be any longer the first time KQ has suspended flights to Somalia, having previously halted products and companies attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The carrier had hoped the resumption of flights would relief tap into increasing ask of, however advanced stipulations believe proved prohibitive.
Kenya Airways faces stiff opponents on the route from foremost players esteem Qatar Airways and Turkish Airways, both of which operate bellow flights to Mogadishu. Additionally, several budget carriers believe established a solid presence on the route, providing lower fares which believe made it advanced for KQ to compete.
These elements, combined with logistical and operational hurdles, believe hampered the Kenyan carrier’s efforts to procure up a foothold in Somalia’s increasing aviation market.
The system to droop flights comes appropriate months after Somalia’s admission into the East African Neighborhood (EAC) in December 2023, a amble that used to be expected to enhance regional alternate and shuttle.
