Domestic airfares have more than doubled in the run-up to Christmas on increased demand, with some routes fully booked in the days leading up to December 25.
Jambojet ticket prices for flights from Nairobi to Mombasa and Kisumu have topped the Sh20,000 mark in recent days, from lows of Sh8,300 to Sh11,000 over the low season weekends.
On Friday, flights to Mombasa were fully booked until Saturday and available flights starting from Sunday were priced at Sh19,500.
“We have seen an increase in bookings, it is after all the festive season, it happens during this time,” said Karanja Ndegwa, the chief executive officer of Jambojet.
Friday's flight to Mombasa departed at 6.30 am for the one and a quarter hour trip, while the last flight leaves the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9.30 pm.
On the Saturday night flights from Nairobi to Mombasa, only nine seats were available for booking at Sh19,500 by 3 pm on Friday, while all Sunday flights were fully booked.
Only one seat was available for booking on the 8.25 am flight to Mombasa on Monday, while Tuesday and Wednesday, which is Christmas Day, were fully booked.
Last year, Jambojet charged Sh12,200 for a one-way ticket to Mombasa on December 23, up from Sh8,200 a month earlier.
Flights to Kisumu from the capital normally cost between Sh6,000 and Sh8,000, but in the days leading up to Christmas, the fares rose to Sh19,500 and were fully booked until December 26.
Only two seats for Saturday morning flight were yet to be bought for Sh19,500 on Friday.
All flights from Nairobi to Eldoret were fully booked until Boxing Day and cost Sh7,000.
The development, which will be a big boost to the domestic airlines' earnings, is likely to inconvenience thousands of travellers planning to spend their holidays away from the capital.
Domestic flights from Nairobi to various towns including Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret are fully booked ahead of the festivities.
Skyward Express’ saver, value and plus packages were fully booked on December 20, with the exception of the sky elite package to Mombasa at Sh15,780.
Fares are based on Friday’s bookings and are expected to increase further as the Christmas Day approaches.
The prices on all routes are expected to drop after the festive season as the number of travellers reduces significantly.
