Air Brussels Returns To Kenya After A Nine-Year Absence
Air Brussels Returns To Kenya After A Nine-Year Absence
Air Brussels, Belgium’s flag carrier and the largest airline of Belgium has resumed flights into Nairobi, Kenya after a nine- year hiatus.
The airline which is a member of the Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance touched down at the Kenyatta International Airport on Monday night with 288 travelers, enhancing connectivity between Kenya and Belgium.This marked the first time the airline was landing into Kenya after having served the Nairobi route between 2002 and 2015.
Speaking during the reception of the airline, David Tanki, who represented the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Board of Directors said that the resumption of flights to Nairobi by Air Brussels was a positive development for tourism as Kenya aims to become a year-round destination known for its diverse and sustainable tourism offerings. He added that the resumption shows that Belgian and European travelers still have an appetite for Kenyan as a destination.
“The year-round service we shall now be receiving from Airlines Brussels is a significant development for the destination that will boost arrivals throughout all the seasons. This comes as we continue to see interest from other airlines from Europe and other continents into Kenya. We are pleased to see this airline come back to into Kenya after a long absence, and hope that it will bring more people to be inspired by the beauty of Magical Kenya” said Tanki.
Mr Tanki also exuded optimism in the future growth of the sector, noting that travelers from the larger Europe continent will play a big role in the full turn-around of the sector.
“Europe is a key source market for Kenya’s Tourism, ranking second with a 29% market share and contributing 572,352 arrivals last year. In 2023, the number of arrivals from Belgium reached 12,960, up from 9,981 in 2022 indicating a growing recognition of Kenya as a desirable destination within Belgian tourism. The entry of Brussels Airlines is particularly timely as we expect to increase in Belgian arrivals into Kenya and further strengthen our numbers,” he said.
