Friday March 31, 2017
African Express Airways, one of the oldest privately owned airlines, has started direct passenger flight to Mogadishu as the reconstruction of the horn of Africa gathers pace.
The airline is expected to open up the airspace between Kenya and its war-ravaged neighbor.
The airline joins a number of companies and investors that have been attracted by the potential business opportunities in Somalia.
The development comes in the wake of an inter-governmental agreement between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Somalia President Mohamed Farmajo on the need to accelerate cooperation and business relations between the two neighbours.
This is the first time that the airline is flying direct from Nairobi- a hub for Somalia investments and businessmen. It also a result of a report by a Kenya government initiative aimed at bridging the gap and reducing non-tariff barriers afflicting the business community.
"Last year, the government put together a multi-agency team to look at ways and means of allowing direct flights," Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said during the inaugural of 150-seat Boeing aircraft to Mogadishu.
Macharia said the team suggested that the screening of passengers moves away from Wajir to Mogadishu which means that it makes more sense for business and security to have direct flights between the two capital cities.
"What we have done is to transfer the security arrangements we had in Wajir to Mogadishu. We are happy because major stakeholders like aid agencies supported Kenya’s decision to allow direct flights," Macharia said.
Currently, only two Airlines are legally allowed to carry passenger airlines on the Kenya-Somalia route.
African Express Airways, which has been on the route for 28 years Nairobi-Mogadishu from Kenya as a national airline and Jubba Airways, which has been keen to take the Somali flag.
The remaining air charter companies may soon be regulated by both Kenya and Somali civil aviation authorities.
Capt Ruben Gamero, African Express Airways operations director, said he was delighted that his company was given the green light to remain the only Kenyan designated airline to fly to Mogadishu
Gamero said the company which has over 10 aeroplanes is the most experienced Kenyan airline designated not only to Somalia but to at least 36 countries worldwide.