Tourism bosses are keen to get Turkish airlines back

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

From a senior marketing executive of an international airline, a leaked memo has caused a huge volley of criticism over the alleged inactiveness of the government to permit its return flights to Mombasa.

Dr Sam Ikwaye, Coast branch executive officer of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, suspected that the State was ignoring tourism revival process by over-protecting Kenya Airways, the national carrier of the country.

The memo said that even though they are interested to start MIA flights from the summer of this year, they couldn’t get the required permission from the KCAA, unfortunately. They regret for that and mention that they had to call off Mombasa flights until October 29, 2022. From the Coast, tourism stakeholders have been requesting for the execution of the open skies policy. This would allow international flights to land in Mombasa directly.

The players explained that if the entry of foreign airlines to Mombasa is made hassle-free, the sector will get a major boost up.

Mr. Victor Shitakah, Kenya Coast Tourism Association Chairman, stated that Qatar and Turkish Airlines need to be given more confidence and permit access to fly to Mombasa.

He also added that the Fly Dubai and Fly Emirates are interested on the Mombasa route as well.

Open skies policy signifies liberalisation and simplification of access and the permit to use national airports for international airlines.

Ikwaye named the recent development as worrying for the poorly surviving tourism industry.

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