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Kenya Airways signs codeshare deal with Delta ahead of direct US flights

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Kenya Airways plane. FILE PHOTO | NMG

US-based Delta Air Lines has entered into a codeshare partnership with Kenya Airways #ticker:KQ on flights to and from Nairobi, coming as a boost to the national carrier ahead of direct flights to America.

The deal, which became effective on Wednesday, will see Delta’s code placed on Kenya Airways’ flights from Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Accra to Nairobi, enhancing connectivity and providing customers with a one-stop seamless travel experience from the United States.

Delta will place its code on KQ’s services to more than 10 key cities across Africa, including Addis Ababa, Lilongwe, Maputo, Johannesburg and Djibouti City.

“Delta is the leading American carrier between the United States and Africa. This new partnership with Kenya Airways’ will give customers even greater choice for travel between the continents thanks to Kenya Airways’ extensive network beyond Nairobi,” said Corneel Koster, Delta’s senior Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India.

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Benefits

Kenya Airways Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Coste said they are delighted about the closer relationship with Delta and believe that this is a development that will continue to bring benefits to their customers and its business.

“Kenya Airways and Delta are both premier airlines and this agreement is a positive step in our cooperation,” he said.

Delta and Kenya Airways are both members of the SkyTeam alliance.

Frequent Flyers can earn and redeem miles on both airlines, while Elite Plus travellers benefit from SkyPriority services.

Delta has operated flights to Africa since 2006, and serves Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Senegal and Johannesburg.

Kenya Airways is scheduled to start direct flights to New York on October 28.