German airline increases flights to Mombasa

German leisure airliner, Condor, has added its fourth flight this summer making it the most frequent charter airline to fly into Mombasa.

Condor now flies four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to the coastal town of Mombasa. A Boeing 767 aircraft that had flown from Frankfurt to Zanzibar arrived at the Moi International Airport (MIA) with 104 tourists.

“This additional summer flight will be departing Frankfurt- Zanzibar- Mombasa every Wednesday. This is an indication there is more demand and the German market has been supportive of Kenyan tourism,’’ Condor MIA Station manager, Mr William Gikandi said.
A tourist onboard the flight, Jens Epkes from Reinsten, Germany said he was happy to be back in Kenya.

“I have been following news of insecurity back home and have taken precautions. But all the same Kenya is dear to me with good people and beautiful scenery all around,’’ Epkes in his fourth visit, told Weekend Business.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (Kahc) Coast branch Chief Executive officer, Sam Ikwaye said the Government should support Condor increase its flight rotation into Mombasa. “This is clearly a vote of confidence that Kenya as a destination is resilient. We are urging other charter flights that pulled out of the Mombasa route to reconsider and re-invest,’’ Ikwaye said.

Ikwaye said challenges facing Kenyan tourism are receiving attention from both stakeholders and the Government and there is optimism the industry will bounce back.

He said Mombasa, which has been reliant on charter flights, has continued to suffer from lack of adequate flight traffic and if more are encouraged to come, it will be better for the industry.

Travellers Beach Hotel and Club, sales and marketing Manager, Wafula Waswa said flights operated by Condor have helped build confidence among travelers. “As a hotel we have continued to receive guests who have flown Condor and believe other charters should be encouraged to come,” Waswa said.