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Skyward adds flights on Kisumu, Eldoret and Mombasa routes

airport

A section of Wilson Airport. Skyward Express operates from the facility. PHOTO | FILE

Travellers to Mombasa and Kisumu are set to benefit from the choice of more airlines as Skyward Express launches more flights to the two destinations in a fortnight, as part of its expansion plan that will also see it start flying to Eldoret this evening.

The airline, which began operating scheduled passenger flights in January, is finalising preparations to launch the two once-a-day routes.

Skyward will be flying its Bombardier aircraft from Wilson Airport to Eldoret. The carriers have a capacity of 50 passengers each.

“The Eldoret route has been operational on a trial basis for the past two months but we are going to officially launch it on Tuesday evening,” a Skyward Express employee told the Business Daily.

“We are also preparing to launch the Mombasa and Kisumu routes in about two weeks as part of our plans to get a strong presence in the country.”

Skyward, which has a fleet of seven aircraft, already operates flights to Lodwar, Wajir, and Mandera, with return tickets to these destinations going for Sh26,000, Sh18,000, Sh30,000 respectively.

The Eldoret return ticket is set to cost Sh10,000. The firm’s website notes that these prices are valid until the end of September. Until January, the three-year-old company had been specialising in chartered flights and handling cargo in and out of Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Somalia from its base at the Wilson Airport.

Last month, it started operations to oil-rich Turkana, becoming the fifth airline to begin flying to the region, targeting an increasing number of passengers.

Other carriers that have added Lodwar to their routes include Air Turkana, Safarilink, Fly 540 and its sister carrier Sax, stepping up competition for clients.

Many people opt to fly to Turkana due to insecurity on the road.

READ: Fifth airline launches flights to Turkana

During a past interview with the Business Daily, Skyward Express’ director of operations Captain Joseph Ariko said the firm’s flights to Lodwar were targeted at investors and tourists.

“We are flying on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays to Lodwar,” he said.

Skyward’s decision to add Mombasa and Kisumu to its routes will also see it compete with Jambojet, the low-cost carrier operated by Kenya Airways. Jambojet in March began flights to Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, breathing new life to the hard hit tourism sector in the Coast.

The budget airline, which was launched in April 2014, also flies to Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu.