Thursday October 10, 2024
A Kenya Airways cargo plane stationed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on February 10, 2024. / Photo Credit: SONNA
Mogadishu (HOL) — Kenya Airways (KQ) will suspend all passenger flights to Mogadishu, Somalia, starting October 14, 2024, due to operational challenges. The announcement was made by KQ's Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, in a letter addressed to the Principal Secretary of Kenya's Ministry of Roads and Transport, Mohamed Daghar, dated October 9, 2024.
"Due to operational challenges, Kenya Airways Board and Management has made the decision to suspend passenger flights to Mogadishu effective 14th October 2024," Kilavuka stated in the letter.
The suspension comes after the airline "carefully analyzed" the current business environment. Kilavuka emphasized that the decision was made in the airline's best interest, considering the challenges it faces in the prevailing environment.
"Kenya Airways requests for your understanding of this unforeseen development that may reverse the positive trend and gains made so far," Kilavuka explained.
The airline has faced stiff competition from Somali-owned airlines, including Freedom Airline Express and Premier Airlines, which offer more flexible booking options like one-way tickets and fewer penalties, such as an absence of "no-show" charges. These Somali carriers, which operate several of the 25 weekly flights on this route, have gained popularity by catering to the specific preferences of Somali travellers.
Some travellers have passed up on Kenya Airways for its policies, such as requiring Somali passport holders to book round-trip tickets, which contrasts with the flexibility offered by Somali-owned airlines. Flyers have also faced difficulty purchasing tickets at the airport in person. This lack of adaptability has made the airline less competitive on the Nairobi-Mogadishu route, as Somali-owned airlines capture a growing share of passengers.
A high-level source within Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority revealed that authorities anticipated these challenges and engaged with Kenyan diplomats. During discussions, Somali officials outlined the need for Kenya Airways to better accommodate the travel habits of Somali passengers. Although Kenyan officials promised to relay these concerns to Kenya Airways officials in Nairobi, the source noted that any potential policy changes would require approval from the airline's board of directors.
The source emphasized that Somalia remains committed to supporting Kenya Airways, stating, "We benefit as Somalis. Reliable air connectivity facilitates business travel, boosts trade, reduces costs and enhances diplomatic ties."
Kenya Airways thanked the Kenyan Embassy in Mogadishu and various government officials for their continued support in helping the airline expand its network and provide air travel services in the region.
Kenya Airways has faced a recurring pattern of starting and halting operations on the Mogadishu route. The airline first launched direct flights to Mogadishu in December 2018, marking a major step towards enhancing regional connectivity. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a suspension of services in 2020. Kenya Airways resumed flights in February 2022, with three weekly departures from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's Terminal 2.
In August 2023, a bilateral air services agreement between Kenya and Somalia was signed, further strengthening cooperation and creating renewed opportunities for air travel. The deal was expected to improve access for key groups, including business communities and humanitarian organizations operating in the region.
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