Brussels Airlines resumes Brussels-Nairobi flights

Brussels Airlines has officially resumed direct flights from Brussels to Nairobi. The inaugural flight from Nairobi to Brussels landed at Jomo Kenyatta Airport on June 3, 2024. The Belgian airline’s resumption to Nairobi after a decade-long hiatus has increased the number of European flights on the Kenyan route. The airline will connect Nairobi to Brussels with six weekly flights. The airline last operated the route between 2002 and 2015.

Speaking during the event at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar, said the return of the airline signals the continued recovery of the aviation sector, especially after the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This important milestone underscores the resurgence in air transport business in our country. For instance, the number of passengers traveling through Kenyan airports increased by 9% from 10.236 million in 2022, to 11.147 million in 2023. It also comes barely three months after the relaunch of Kenya Airways’ direct flights to Mogadishu, Somalia, underscoring the Government’s commitment to promoting connectivity, regional integration, and trade,” said Daghar.

Brussels Airlines Chief Executive Officer Dorothea von Boxberg, said since the flights went on sale, thousands of travellers had booked their tickets between the two hubs of Nairobi and Brussels.

“We see a very high interest in our home market Belgium to explore Kenya. Our first flights to Nairobi are full. Nairobi is a vibrant city and the perfect gateway for an unforgettable trip to Kenya. The other way around we offer connections to Europe and beyond via Brussels to let Kenyans explore the world, study, or grow their businesses,” said Boxberg.

Mr. Daghar added that the government will continue investing in infrastructure, technology, facilities, equipment, and systems to improve aviation infrastructure, air navigation services, and aviation training capacity in Kenya.