Kenya Airways has suspended passenger flights to Mogadishu from 14 October 2024 due to operational constraints.
This news was announced by the Kenya Airways General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Allan Kilavuka, in a letter to the Secretary General of the Kenyan Ministry of Roads and Transport, Mohamed Daghar, on October 9, 2024.
“Due to operational constraints, the board and management of Kenya Airways have decided to suspend passenger flights to Mogadishu, effective October 14, 2024,” Kilavuka said in the letter.
This decision came after the company analyzed the current business situation. Kilavuka stated that the decision was made in the interest of the company, considering the challenges it is facing in the current situation.
“Kenya Airways is asking for understanding of this unexpected change that may set back the good progress that has been made so far,” added Kilavuka.
Kenyan Airlines has faced strong competition from Somali-owned airlines, including Freedom Airline Express and Premier Airlines. These companies offer additional options such as one-way tickets and fines for no-show passengers.
These Somali companies, which operate some of the 25 weekly flights on this route, have become known for being particularly accommodating to the needs of Somali passengers.
Many passengers have avoided Kenya Airways due to its policies, such as forcing Somali passport holders to buy two-way tickets, in contrast to the flexibility of Somali airlines.
This lack of flexibility has made Kenya Airways uncompetitive on the Nairobi-Mogadishu route, with Somali-owned airlines gaining increasing passenger support.
A senior source in the Civil Aviation Authority of Somalia has revealed that the authorities have already seen these challenges. During the talks, Somali officials explained the need for Kenya Airways to better adapt to the travel habits of Somali passengers.
Although Kenyan officials have promised to convey these concerns to Kenya Airways officials in Nairobi, sources have indicated that possible policy changes require the approval of the airline’s board.
