Skyward flies to N. Rift with eyes on business from oil

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Skyward Express chairman Mohammed Somo (left), Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and Skyward cabin crew during the Nairobi-Eldoret route launch in Eldoret. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By COPPERFIELD LAGAT

In Summary

• Airlines operating between Nairobi and Eldoret Airport continue to increase business operations between the country’s capital and North Rift.

The Eldoret International Airport is slowly coming of age as passenger numbers and cargo volumes grow.

The once sleepy facility received another boost on Monday when Skyward Express (SW) Airline joined the route with four-days-a-week operations that link it to Wilson Airport in Nairobi and Lodwar Airstrip.

Airlines operating between Nairobi and Eldoret Airport continue to increase business operations between the country’s capital and North Rift.

The airline, starting with a modern Dash 8 and 50-seater aircraft, is expected to boost the North Rift’s tourism and trade.

READ: Airlines step up rivalry on Coast and western routes

SW 430 flight has started flying from Wilson Airport to Eldoret at 7.30am on Monday at a cost of Sh5,500. It leaves for Lodwar upon arrival from Nairobi at 8.30am with clients paying Sh7,500. The schedule follows these route for the whole day.

Another aircraft, SW 432 departs from Eldoret to Wilson Airport at 10.30am and Wilson to Lodwar Friday and Sunday’s at 2pm for Sh13,500.

The aircraft also flies Lodwar to Eldoret (Sh7,500) between 3pm and 4.30pm on Friday and Sunday. Besides regular passengers and charters, the airline also handles cargo.

Skyward chairman Mohamed Somo said the flight will make it easy to conduct business between Nairobi and the North Rift.

“Skyward comes in to create regular flights between Nairobi and the North Rift. The region is fast becoming a business hub and we are coming in with regular flights throughout the day to support economic growth,” Mr Somo said.

He added that the plan to venture into the region was reached at because there were only morning and evening flights linking the far North and Nairobi via Eldoret.

Fly 540 has fixed flights linking Eldoret, Lodwar and Nairobi in the morning and evening. Jambojet only links Nairobi and Kisumu via Eldoret.

Mr Somo noted that devolution, agriculture and discovery of oil deposits in the North Rift positions the region as one of the biggest business hubs in East Africa.

“There’s already business in this region; agriculture and discovery of oil in Turkana will soon cause a sudden rush for investments, so we are coming in early to support economic development,” said Mr Somo.

“Our investment steps in as a competitor to the existing companies. Healthy competition is good for our country because citizens will have choices. We are for the idea that while we try to grow the economy, the mwananchi is not hurt in the process,” he said