News

Kenya Airways targets June 2018 for direct US flights

kq destinations

Kenya Airways routes outside Africa. BD GRAPHIC | NMG

National carrier Kenya Airways #ticker:KQ has submitted its application for direct flights to the United States, targeting June 2018 for the inaugural landing in Nairobi.

KQ, as the carrier is popularly known, is seeking “economic authority” to initially partner with an American carrier through code-sharing and another greenlight for long-term independent flights.

The rigorous licensing process is expected to take about eight months, marking the next step after US authorities awarded Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) the Category One security and safety status in February.

Mbuvi Ngunze, KQ’s outgoing chief executive, confirmed that the application had been made, adding approval may come by the end of this year, paving the way for the launch in the summer season.

“When making the application to the US Department of Transportation (DoT), airlines have to submit an indicative date of launch. In our submission we went with mid next year because we have to match the approval date with market trends,” Mr Ngunze said.

READ: KQ picks austerity hawk for big turnaround task

Quiet period

“January to March is usually a quiet period. The market picks up between April and June. Besides, you have to have flights ready so that people can book well in advance.”

To receive “economic authority”, foreign carriers submit specifics on ownership and management, financial condition, operating plan, and prove ability to comply with laws and regulations.

The US agency also requires applying airlines to provide evidence of operating authority from the home government, passenger manifest information and aircraft accident liability insurance.

Upon receiving the greenlight, airlines such as KQ are also required to seek safety consent from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and additional approvals from applicable US authorities.

“This process is very demanding since there are a myriad of approvals required. We applied through our lawyers last week and understand the process can take up to eight months,” said Mr Ngunze.

The FAA in February gave Kenya the Category One rating under the agency’s International Aviation Safety Assessment Programme, paving the way for direct flights.

Kenya had sought the accreditation for nearly a decade.

Its granting came as good news for freighters and passengers who expect huge cost and time reduction for travel between the two nations.

Solo trips

James Macharia, the Transport secretary, said KQ will most likely enter into a code-sharing agreement with America’s Delta Air Lines, which is the Kenyan carrier’s SkyTeam partner, even as it pursues the possibility of making solo trips.

SkyTeam is an alliance of 20 carriers, including KLM, Korean Air, Air France, and Alitalia, who partner to ensure seamless travel experience for those using their flights.

In 2009, Kenya granted Delta Air Lines approval for direct flights, but the US government rescinded the licence citing security concerns in Kenya.

This means that the carrier has to seek fresh endorsements from US and Kenyan authorities before launching direct flights.

“I am told Delta are in the process of applying. We had granted them that right before so when they apply it will simply be a matter of refreshing what they had done before,” Mr Macharia said.

“The process of granting Delta approvals will be much faster this time around. Additionally, the security concerns that the US government had have been addressed.”

The longstanding second class status of JKIA means that passengers flying from Kenya to the US have to transit through Europe, the Middle East or any of the four African countries whose airports have achieved the Category One status. They include South Africa, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, and Nigeria.

Boost exports

In lobbying for direct flights Kenya, whose tourism industry has recently suffered turbulence over security concerns, has been seeking to boost exports to the US and increase the number of Americans visiting the country.

In order to attain and maintain the new rating, a country must demonstrate compliance with safety standards contained in the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.

Kenya has been implementing a raft of recommendations by the US government to enhance security, among them separation of passenger arrival and departure terminals, clearing the flight path and fencing off the airport.