KQ’s Mombasa-UAE direct cargo flights to boost Coast economy

TRADE: Kenyan Coast is banking on direct cargo flights between Mombasa and United Arab Emirates (UAE) by Kenya Airways to boost the region’s economy.
The first Dream liner 787 flight departed from Moi International Airport, Mombasa on Wednesday evening to UAE, marking the first time that the carrier has had cargo depart from other point than its Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) hub.
KQ Chief Executive Allan Kilavuka said cargo flights will promote trade, efficiency and timely delivery of Kenyan exports to the Middle East region.
“This is in line with government vision on the blue economy,” he added.
Operate efficiently
Kilavuka assured business partners that the flight will operate efficiently and will be business friendly in the wake of decline in flight passengers.
“We are moving a lot of cargo on a weekly basis from Nairobi, we have moved about 10,000 tonns of cargo from Nairobi, and we can do an hourly flight if we have a justification for cargo in Mombasa,” he said.
Okisegere Ojepat, Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya Chief executive said the deal was long overdue as Mombasa has had no cargo linkage between it and the Middle East.
He affirmed commitment to support the flight by providing business opportunities.
“Mombasa being a hub, we have the port, airport, railway and all other linkages, is prudent to have cargo coming from the Moi International airport.
The shipments coming through the port can get easy access to UAE by air,” he added.
The national carrier opened up the UAE route from Nairobi in June and it has been operating an average of two weekly flights to the Sharjah International Airport.
“We have started the flights to UAE from Mombasa basically to ensure that goods from the country move with ease to the Middle East countries, and in return raise income,” Kilavuka said.
The airline will mainly carry meat products, including tropical fish, Tea, fresh fruit and flowers and general cargo to Sharjah and return with general cargo and high tech goods from UAE.
Sharjah International Airport is considered a competitive freight hub in the UAE and provides opportunities to KQ to grow its cargo business.