Airline set to launch direct Kisumu-Mombasa flights

Local airline Silverstone Air Services is set to start direct flights between Kisumu and Mombasa in November, targeting tourists on the Western and Coastal circuit.

The airline Tuesday launched commercial flights from Nairobi to Kisumu and Ukunda, having previously operated as a charter-only carrier.

Silverstone Air managing director Mohamed Somow yesterday said that the airline will be charging about Sh10,000 for a one-way ticket between Kisumu and Mombasa.

Passengers flying between the two cities currently have to make a stop-over in Nairobi, adding more time and expense to their journeys.

“By November we will doing flights to Malindi, HomaBay and Lamu. We will also be looking to do direct flights between Kisumu and Mombasa,” said Mr Sumow after the inaugural flight to Kisumu yesterday.

“Our research in the market has shown there is demand for the direct service between the two cities.”

The airline is charging Sh9,000 for a return ticket from Nairobi to Kisumu and Ukunda. They will operate two returns trips daily to Kisumu, and a daily return flight to Ukunda with an extra afternoon trip to the Coastal town on Friday and Sunday.

Mr Somow said that Silverstone will initially operate five planes on its local routes, consisting of two Dash-8 planes and three Fokker 50 aircraft.

The domestic air market has seen rising demand in the recent years as more Kenyans opt to fly in line with rising income and construction of new airstrips and airports.
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