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Jambojet to increase Nairobi-Eldoret flights

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Travellers board a Jambojet plane. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Jambojet has added five weekly flights between Nairobi and Eldoret following what the low-cost carrier says is a response to increased passenger demand on the route.

The budget airline, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways #ticker:KQ, will now operate 18 weekly flights from its base at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) using two Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

Jambojet, which also operates two Boeing 737-300 aircraft, earlier this month suspended its daily flights to Lamu, saying that Manda Airport's poor condition makes it difficult for aircraft to land or take off.

The low-cost carrier has now channelled the ‘extra capacity’ to Eldoret, where it says business travellers plying the route have been yearning for more flexible flight schedules.

“By offering a total of 18 flights per week, Jambojet will have an additional 780 seats, offering passengers more convenient travel options at affordable fares,” Willem Hondius, Jambojet’s chief executive, said in a statement.

Jambojet has been operating morning and evening flights on the route, but has now added an afternoon flight (departing Nairobi at 12:30 p.m.) on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Enhance connectivity

The carrier also used to operate one flight on Sundays – departing Nairobi and Eldoret at 6:50pm and 8pm respectively – but has a second flight leaving JKIA at 1pm with the return flight scheduled for 2:10 p.m.

READ: Jambojet suspends flights to Lamu

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“The early afternoon flights will enhance connectivity in the region as well as facilitate swift and convenient movement to and from the home of champions,” he expounded.

“Jambojet will be the only airline on the Eldoret route with an early afternoon flight on Sunday.”

Jambojet, which was launched in 2014, currently flies to five routes in Kenya; between Nairobi and Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi and Ukunda using a no frills model.

The carrier in May received an air service licence (ASL) from the aviation regulator, paving the way for the low-cost carrier to commence international flights by the end of the year.

Jambojet had applied to fly between JKIA and Entebbe, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Kigali, Juba, Bujumbura, Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Goma, Kisangani and Moroni.

READ: New airline turns heat on Nairobi-Kisumu carriers