Silverstone Air to start direct flights to Homa Bay in September

Air traffic controller directs a passenger aircraft from Silverstone Airline plying Nairobi-Kisumu airspace upon arrival at Kisumu International Airport. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Kenya's fastest growing low cost carrier, Silverstone Air has added Homa Bay town to its growing list of destinations it connects.

Effective September 2, 2019, the carrier will start direct flights from its Wilson Airport hub, Nairobi to the upgraded Kabunde Airstrip.

Speaking to the media, Silverstone Air Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr Patrick Oketch said that buoyed by their general acceptance and the desire to connect the whole country, the airline has completed all the paperwork including carrying out test flights to Kabunde Airstrip.

''We are delighted to include Homa Bay town in our growing list of destinations that we serve. This new service which will be a daily one is expected to help the people in and around the great county access affordable and reliable air service,'' Oketch said.

The Kabunde airstrip was modernised in 2015 by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and received its first commercial flight in January 2016.

Sh200 million was used to upgrade the facility into a modern usable airfield with Glanack Investments Company hired to undertake the upgrade works that included the expansion of the runway to 1.2 kilomtres length and a new apron constructed.

Fencing around the facility was also reinforced and an all-weather road between Homa Bay and Rongo which is used to access the facility fully tarmacked.

Oketch said that the journey from Wilson Airport to Kabunde airstrip is estimated to take 35 minutes flight.

He said that the introductory fare is Sh6,500 for a one-way trip.

He said that on the particular route, Silverstone Air shall be deploying a Dash 8-100 type of aircraft that has a capacity of 37 passengers.

''If demand dictates, we shall also introduce late afternoon flights to Homa Bay,'' the manager said.

Already, Silverstone operates daily flights from Wilson to the serene Kenyan Coast into Mombasa, Diani, Malindi and Lamu.

It also flies to the Maasai Mara, Eldoret, Wajir and Lodwar. Its recent services include charter operations for cargo in and within the region.