Brazil and Kenya plan relaunch of direct flights link

Kenya and Brazil have opened talks to relaunch direct air flights between the two countries that came to an abrupt end five years ago with the collapse of Varig Airlines.

Direct flights between Rio and Nairobi was part of agenda of a meeting the Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held with President Kibaki on Tuesday in Nairobi.

“Since the flights stopped in 2005 there has not been any direct air connection available to our people. It is our expectation that the resumption of direct flights will act as a stimulus to boost trade and investment between the two countries,” President Kibaki said in his speech at a dinner held in honour of Mr Da Silva.

Brazil and Kenya are hoping that the bilateral agreement will facilitate faster movement of people, goods and services between the two economies and boost trade.

The Brazilian president was in Kenya to foster co-operation between the two countries.

Mr Kibaki and Mr Da Silva agreed to cooperate in bio-diesel, technology, agricultural research and development, information and communication.

Increased investments by Brazilians in the country will increase demand for air transport in the long run.

Kenya Airways has ties with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, which is the third largest aircraft maker in the world after America’s Boeing and Europe’s Airbus.

The national carrier received two new Embraer’s last week, the E190s - and already had five E170’s in its fleet, two of which were delivered last month.

These planes are mainly used on regional flights. KQ has, however, not indicated plans to fly to the South American countries with most of its expansion efforts concentrated in Africa.

Previously the Kenya Brazil route was served by Varig , the Brazilian airline that has faced major financial difficulties that saw it file for bankruptcy in 2005.

The airline has been revived and is mainly serving South American cities.

To travel to Brazil today one has to travel through a major hub in Europe or the Middle East with airlines like Emirates, British Airways, Qatar Airways and Air France.

South African Airways is the only airline in Africa that connects the continent to the South American country.

Direct flights between the two countries would enable Kenya to receive more tourists from Brazil, which it has identified as one of its emerging markets due to the growth of the economy.

Brazil is seen as a potential market by Kenya Tourist Board and would help the country grow its tourist numbers.

Most tourists will come from emerging markets like Brazil, India and China, says the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Kenya is looking at tapping into this business.

The country has been investing in new markets in the past few years with concentration being placed in markets like India, China, Russia, Gulf Cooperation Council, Australia and Eastern Europe.

However, activities in Brazil have been limited but are expected to increase in the next couple of years especially as the country hosts the World cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.