Kenya is upbeat about launching direct flights to the United States earlier than planned after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved non-stop air travel between the two countries.
Inspectors from America’s FAA gave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport a clean bill of health after an audit leading to the award of the long awaited Category One status.
This sets the stage for signing of flight agreements between Washington and Nairobi as well as airlines seeking direct flights between the US and Kenya before commercial operations can start.
Kenya, which hosted President Barack Obama in July 2015, wants to boost exports to Washington and increase visits by American tourists. Starting flights was part of a package of deals announced during Obama’s visit. “Kenya has today been granted Category One status by the US Government following a meticulous assessment audit by the FAA and other US agencies,” said a statement from the Transport ministry.
“The granting of this status means that airline operators, both in Kenya and the US, which have long desired to operate directly... will now be allowed to carry on their operations after certain processes including technical compliance and commercial arrangements are met.”
The FAA was meant to issue a statement by time of going to Press yesterday. The second class status of JKIA means passengers flying from Kenya to the US have to transit through Europe, the Middle East or any of the four African countries whose airports have achieved the Category One status. These are South Africa, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, and Nigeria.
Delta Airlines previously set a launch date for direct flights but cancelled due to security concerns.
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