Nairobi(Mogadishu24)-The Kenya Airways announced on Tuesday the resumption of direct flights from Nairobi to Mogadishu, starting in February 2024.

This resumption will commence with three weekly flights to and from Mogadishu on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

The link between Mogadishu and Nairobi was suspended in August 2020 as a mitigation measure to curb the spread of the Corona Virus.

Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways, stated that this resumption would strengthen business and trade between Somalia and Kenya.

“We are eager about the potential of re-establishing the link between Mogadishu and Nairobi through KQ. This move aligns with the increasing business and the growing number of air travel between Kenya and Somalia,” said Mr. Julius Thairu.

He added, “Kenya Airways is committed to providing high-quality service for our customers as we work together to foster trade and investment for sustained growth.”

Kenya Airways announced on its official account that the resumption of flights will expand and enhance connectivity across the African continent to contribute to long-term economic progress.

The airline initially stated the resumption with a flight ticket five times higher than the usual price. Kenya Airways said, “Enjoy our special fares starting from USD 1050.”

This sparked criticism from social media users, mainly diplomats, who argued that the ticket charges were exaggerated, prompting Kenya Airways to remove the post from its official account.

“Half an hour flight destination with over $1000! Hope the Airways is correcting this and it is why it removed the post of the announcement,” said Osman, a Somali youth on X Post.

In August, Hon. Fardowsa Osman Egal, the Minister of Transport and Aviation of the Federal Government of Somalia, signed a Bilateral Air Service agreement with Hon. Kipchumba Mukomen, the Kenyan Minister of Transport, at Transcom House in Nairobi.

The agreement was expected to allow designated airlines from both countries to operate seven weekly frequencies for passenger flights on specified routes, with designated cargo flights having unlimited frequencies. However, it has not been implemented.

Last Friday, Somalia was admitted as the 8th member of the East African Community at the 23rd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State held in Arusha, Tanzania.