Belgium’s national carrier, Brussels Airlines, is enhancing its service to East Africa by launching flights to Nairobi, Kenya, and increasing frequencies to Kigali, Rwanda, starting in June 2024. The airline remains committed to growing its network in Sub-Saharan Africa, its most important market.
The new destination and enhanced schedules are supported by the addition of a tenth Airbus A330 to the carrier’s long-haul fleet, bringing the number of A330s back to pre-pandemic levels. The new widebody will enter service in Summer 2024.
Brussels Airlines will start flying non-stop from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) in June 2024, and bookings will be open from September 13, 2023. This will bring its number of destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa to 18.
Kenya is not unfamiliar territory, as the airline previously served Nairobi between 2002 and 2015. It will operate six weekly flights during summer and four during winter. The summer schedule is as follows:
The Lufthansa subsidiary will enhance its frequency between Brussels and Kigali International Airport (KGL) from five weekly to daily flights. During winter, the carrier also plans to add an extra non-stop flight to Dakar and an extra rotation to Banjul / Conakry and Monrovia / Freetown. Brussels Airlines CEO Dorothea von Boxberg said;
“With the addition of Nairobi to our network, daily frequencies to Kigali, and extra flights to West Africa, we offer more choices to our passengers traveling to and from Africa than ever. The tenth intercontinental aircraft is a clear sign of Lufthansa Group’s trust in Brussels Airlines and strengthens our role as the hub to Africa for the Group.”
Lufthansa’s commitment to East Africa
With the introduction of the BRU-NBO schedule, the Lufthansa Group will now offer 18 weekly flights to Kenya during the summer season. This will be double the number of flights in 2023 and the most extensive offering by any European airline group.
Nairobi will have 13 weekly inbound flights, with a daily FRA-NBO service from Lufthansa and a six-times-a-week BRU-NBO service from Brussels Airlines. Simultaneously, Discover Airlines will fly from Frankfurt (FRA) to Mombasa (MBA) five times a week. All flights are operated with Airbus A330 aircraft.
The “early” announcement of schedules and commitment of aircraft to the route well in advance highlights the group’s dedication to continue serving Kenya and East Africa. Lufthansa Group General Manager East Africa, Kevin Markette, said;
“Kenya remains a focus market for Lufthansa Group in East Africa, largely driven by the significant increase in demand and resurgence in travel, coupled with the immense support of the local community within the region. I am pleased that we continue to grow our presence in Kenya, underlining Lufthansa Group’s commitment to Kenya and the region as a whole.”
Lufthansa appointed the new General Manager for East Africa in March 2023. Simple Flying spoke to Kevin Markette this year; he explained that the move aimed to bring the global carrier closer to the market. He added that customer demand prompted the group to increase its focus on East Africa, which is essential for further development of connectivity in the region.
Source: TATENDA KARUWA -//simpleflying.
