Kenya to boost UAE capacity

JUST one month after launching weekly cargo operations from Nairobi (Kenya) to Sharjah (UAE) Kenya Airways is planning to expand in the region.

“In Dubai we need to have a double daily frequency,” Abraham Joseph, Kenya Airways regional head for Middle East and Pakistan, comments. “There is tremendous potential. Currently we are doing about 85 per cent average in a month. When a carrier does 78 per cent upwards we should already be looking for additional capacity.”

The carrier will also venture into Beirut in the fourth quarter and restart Karachi (Pakistan) flights in 2013. Kenya eyes further expansion for India, including Mumbai.

The cargo division has recorded positive financial figures on flights from Dubai to Africa. “We contributed US$37 million for 2011 and we are planning to do about $50 million [this year],” Joseph adds.

The airline’s traffic during the third quarter in the Middle East, Far East and India regions jumped 6.8 per cent. Kenya Airways will lift its fleet from 32 to 60 aircraft in the next five years.