Skyward flies to N. Rift with eyes on business from oil
Skyward Express chairman Mohammed Somo (left), Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and Skyward cabin crew during the Nairobi-Eldoret route launch in Eldoret. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |
What you need to know:
Airlines operating between Nairobi and Eldoret Airport continue to increase business operations between the country’s capital and North Rift.
The Eldoret International Airport is slowly coming of age as passenger numbers and cargo volumes grow.
The once sleepy facility received another boost on Monday when Skyward Express (SW) Airline joined the route with four-days-a-week operations that link it to Wilson Airport in Nairobi and Lodwar Airstrip.
Airlines operating between Nairobi and Eldoret Airport continue to increase business operations between the country’s capital and North Rift.
The airline, starting with a modern Dash 8 and 50-seater aircraft, is expected to boost the North Rift’s tourism and trade.
SW 430 flight has started flying from Wilson Airport to Eldoret at 7.30am on Monday at a cost of Sh5,500. It leaves for Lodwar upon arrival from Nairobi at 8.30am with clients paying Sh7,500. The schedule follows these route for the whole day.
Another aircraft, SW 432 departs from Eldoret to Wilson Airport at 10.30am and Wilson to Lodwar Friday and Sunday’s at 2pm for Sh13,500.
The aircraft also flies Lodwar to Eldoret (Sh7,500) between 3pm and 4.30pm on Friday and Sunday. Besides regular passengers and charters, the airline also handles cargo.
Skyward chairman Mohamed Somo said the flight will make it easy to conduct business between Nairobi and the North Rift.
“Skyward comes in to create regular flights between Nairobi and the North Rift. The region is fast becoming a business hub and we are coming in with regular flights throughout the day to support economic growth,” Mr Somo said.
He added that the plan to venture into the region was reached at because there were only morning and evening flights linking the far North and Nairobi via Eldoret.
Fly 540 has fixed flights linking Eldoret, Lodwar and Nairobi in the morning and evening. Jambojet only links Nairobi and Kisumu via Eldoret.
Mr Somo noted that devolution, agriculture and discovery of oil deposits in the North Rift positions the region as one of the biggest business hubs in East Africa.
“There’s already business in this region; agriculture and discovery of oil in Turkana will soon cause a sudden rush for investments, so we are coming in early to support economic development,” said Mr Somo.
“Our investment steps in as a competitor to the existing companies. Healthy competition is good for our country because citizens will have choices. We are for the idea that while we try to grow the economy, the mwananchi is not hurt in the process,” he said.
Skyward, Mr Somo added, welcomed the idea to operate from Wilson Airport since clients departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have frequently missed their flights due to traffic jam.
Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar said the airline will position Eldoret town as one of the preferred venues for meetings and conferences that Mombasa and Nairobi have been hosting.
“Most government, investment and other conferences have been hosted outside this region. This airline now comes to link the fast-growing Eldoret and the rest of the country.
“Governors, senator, MCAs or other people wishing to hold their meetings in Eldoret will not be worried about their travels,” Mr Omar said.
During the launch of the flight in Eldoret, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, who was the chief guest, said the flights will spur growth of tourism in the North Rift bloc, thereby earning revenue.
“Our counties are banking on sports, tourism and agriculture to increase revenue. We are certain that the numbers of tourists visiting our region will increase,” Mr Tolgos said.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago in a speech said the airline will help boost efforts by North Rift counties to achieve self-sustenance through improvement in the tourism sector.
“Every devolved unit focuses on improving its revenue collection to achieve self-sustainability so it does not depend solely on the funds from the national government. With the introduction of this flight, we are confident we will hit this target,” Mr Mandago said.
The two county leaders urged the Skyward management to also consider making use of all 11 airstrips in the North Rift.
The region boasts several tourism sites including the Keiyo Escarpment, Rimoi Game Reserve, Turkana’s cradle of mankind and museum, Lake Baringo and Koitalel Samoei Mausoleum, among others.
