Passengers outside Moi International Airport terminal two that houses Jambojet. PHOTO | FILE
Budget airline Jambojet has opened a booking office in Diani hoping to increase bookings by coast-bound customers.
The Kenya Airways subsidiary which launched operations last year said in a statement on Thursday the decision to open shop in Kwale County was boosted by the recent withdrawal of travel advisory by the United Kingdom government warning its citizens against travelling to parts of the coastal region.
The UK is Kenya’s single-largest source of foreign tourists.
“The opening of Jambo Jet office comes at the right time when Diani Beach has been voted best in Africa and the UK government has lifted the travel advisory,” said the airline in a statement quoting Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya who was the chief quest during the launch.
Jambojet says Kenya Airports Authority (KAA’s) delays in the ongoing expansion of Manda Airstrip in Lamu and upgrading of the turning point at the Ukunda Airport is hurting its business.
The delay has seen the carrier reduce its frequency to Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda. It has condensed flights to Lamu from daily to three in a week. Malindi flights were also cut from once every day to five times a week.
“Construction of the two-kilometre runway started way back in 2011 and is yet to be completed. This is holding us back from increasing our capacity on the route,” said Jambojet chief executive officer Willem Hondius in a statement.
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