KATA Weekly Travel News

History Made as KQ Starts Direct Flights To US

Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner finally left the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for New York City, US, in a historic flight in Kenya’s aviation industry.

The plane left the airport at exactly 11.20pm, although it had been scheduled to leave at 10.45pm.

The plane was expected to touch down at the JF Kennedy International airport Monday at 1:25pm local time, completing a historic flight that will shave up to seven hours off the tortuous journey that usually involves long layovers in Europe or the Middle East.

Normal flights from Kenya to the US take up to 22 hours for the 11,849km between Nairobi and New York.

SECURITY

President Uhuru Kenyatta led senior government officials who arrived at the airport to flag off the inaugural direct flight from Kenya to the US.

Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma led the government delegation aboard the flight.

Several choirs entertained guests before its departure. Security was tight at the airport throughout Sunday evening to ensure no mishap arose.

BUSINESS

Speaking shortly before the departure, President Kenyatta said that the direct flights will open up Kenya to the rest of the world.

“These flights are set to provide a seamless experience for business and leisure travellers alike. It will allow the world to taste Kenya’s diverse cultures and hospitality,” he said.

15 HOURS 

This is a big milestone in the flight history between the two countries, as normal flights from Kenya to the US takes up to 22 hours in a distance of 13,713km between Nairobi and New York.

However, passengers will save up to seven hours, as this flight will take 15 hours only.

Apart from Dr Juma, other senior officials aboard are Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, Kenya Airways chief executive Sebastian Mikosz and chairman, Michael Joseph among others.

DIRECT

Of the 234 passengers, 30 were in the business class while 204 will be in economy class. Those in the economy class paid Sh89, 000 for a return ticket, while the same costs Sh260,000 in business class.

And diverting from the normal flights, the plane will have four pilots, and 12 attendants. The plane will consume 85,000 litres of fuel in a one-way trip.

COMFORT

The adoption of the 787-8 Dreamliner for the flight is its unique make. According to manufacturer’s website, one of its best features is its great comfort.

The plane is also made of 50 percent composite materials, carbon fibre reinforced polymers that are both lighter and more durable than traditional aluminium.

Composite materials have been used before in passenger planes but not to this extent. They comprise both the wings and the fuselage of the 787.

The cabin pressure and humidity in the 787 are also higher than in other airplanes.

The 787 is 20 percent more fuel-efficient than similar-sized aircraft, which saves money and allows airlines to deploy it on long routes.

The achievement of this historic milestone has not come easy for the Kenyan airline. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposes stringent conditions on African airports for clearance to fly directly to the US.

Read More


Emirates’s New Menu

Emirates has launched locally-inspired menus for its East African passengers travelling to Dubai

The airline said the menus are tailored to suit local and diverse taste profiles. The carrier also seeks to boost on-board passenger experiences through keeping up with culinary trends.

Passengers aboard Emirates flights will be served traditional dishes such as Dar es Saalam’s kuku paka, chicken dish with coconut-based curry, served with butter rice and seasonal vegetables.

They will also enjoy Ethiopia’s Misir besiga key wat-spicy beef and lentil stew, served with steamed rice and Kenya’s nyama na irio beef stew and mashed peas with potatoes and corn.

Nasser Iskeirjah, Emirates regional catering manager for Africa said the menus were informed by latest food trends and feedback received from customers.

“We aim to deliver the best culinary experience in the sky and are conscious that our products reflect our cosmopolitan customers,” he said.

Mr Iskeirjah noted the airline constantly rotates its on-board menu to regional and seasonal trends.

“Rotating our menus throughout the year ensures our customers can get to experience a different dish every time they fly with us,” he said.

Over the years, airlines have spiced up their meals to woo travelers. In January, British Airways and Etihad Airways started offering ‘niceties’ to their long-haul flights after Emirates brought ugali and rare champagnes on board last year.

Kenya Airways recently partnered with celebrity Chef Kiran Jethwa to launch a new catering service that has been offering passengers on flights above seven hours an exquisite fusion of African flavors using Kenyan ingredients.

Read More


Qatar Airways Poaches Ex-KQ Executive To Lead Africa Growth 

Qatar Airways has hired an ex-Kenya Airways (KQ) executive to lead its growth strategy in Africa as head of marketing.

Julius Mburu is expected to spearhead the airline’s marketing strategy and increase its slice of the continent’s aviation market.

Mr Mburu was KQ regional marketing manager for Kenya and southern Africa region. He joins the airline at a time when the mid-East carrier is in the process of growing its footprint across the continent.

The state-owned flag carrier of Qatar is scheduled to launch direct Doha-Mombasa flights in December.

The airline will operate four flights a week on the route in a move expected to boost the number of tourist arrivals at the Coast.

Last month, senior Qatar government officials said all is set for the December 9, Doha-Mombasa flights.

Qatar’s entrance to the market is expected to pile pressure on Kenya Airways, which until recently dominated the international transfers between Nairobi and Mombasa.

The entry of Qatar Airways is also a threat to Kenya Airways business model since the national carrier (KQ) has to pass through its Nairobi hub before proceeding to Mombasa.

Mr Mburu is a chartered marketer and holds an MBA from the University of Nairobi. He is a seasoned aviation expert having worked at Kenya Airways for 15 years.

Read More


Trial Biometric Technology To Smooth Passenger Journeys

A series of pilot schemes to test the use of biometric technology throughout the end-to-end passenger journey have been unveiled by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The US Customs and Border Protection and UK Border Agency have been approached to collaborate on the first pilot.

WTTC is working with American Airlines, Dallas Fort Worth international airport, Hilton, and MSC Cruises on the plans.

The first pilot will see travellers on flights between Dallas Fort Worth or London using biometric technology to conduct all airline security, airport and border processes before accessing car rental and hotel check-in using the same biometric information.

Passengers will be able to trial the application of biometric technology at every stage of the travel process in the first half of 2019 – from the point of booking, check-in, through airports, airline boarding, border management, car hire, hotel, cruise and during the journey.

“All of these corporations and the members of WTTC share a commitment to making the travel process safer and more efficient through the use of biometric technology,” the organisation said.

Pilot schemes by airlines, airports, hospitality, cruise, car rental, and tour operators, will be able to jointly test different technologies that inter-connect and work to improve the traveller experience.

WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara said: “In 2019 travellers between Dallas Fort Worth international airport and London will be able to experience the future of travel.

“Our vision is that the traveller won’t need to provide the same information or passport multiple times. Instead, their experience will be seamless, faster and more enjoyable throughout their entire journey.

“Bio-metrics will work at every touch-point of the journey to make travelling easier for the passenger while providing border services with greater security.

“99.9% of travelers are considered low risk. By using technology to minimize queues, we can give low-risk travelers more time to enjoy the travel experience.

Read More

Sharing is Caring :)

Sharing is caring. :)

Do You Want To Boost Your Business?

drop us a line and keep in touch