KQ steps up growth bid with Victoria Falls flights

A Kenya Airways plane. File photo | nmg 

By DOREEN WAINAINAH

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Summary

• Kenya Airways' inaugural flight to Victoria Falls from Jomo Kenyatta Airport took off on Monday. KQ will fly the route three times a week; on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Following the launch, Kenya Airways is the only carrier offering direct flights between Victoria Falls and Cape Town.

Kenya Airways has begun direct flights to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe in further expansion of its lucrative network of African routes.

The inaugural flight to Victoria Falls from Jomo Kenyatta Airport took off on Monday. KQ will fly the route three times a week; on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

“In addition to enhancing Africa integration, this new route will provide a boon for Zimbabwe’s tourism industry as it establishes vital links between the majestic Victoria Falls and tourism sources markets in our global network,” said KQ Chief Executive Officer Mbuvi Ngunze.

Following the launch, Kenya Airways is the only carrier offering direct flights between Victoria Falls and Cape Town.

Passengers will travel to Victoria Falls from the Zambia side via Livingstone. 

Embraer E190 planes fly the route with a configuration of 12 business class seats and 84 economy class seats.

The carrier last week partnered with the Kenya Tourism Board to attract more leisure and business travellers from the region.

The expansion into Victoria Falls is part of the ‘‘Winning in Africa’’ strategy by offering connectivity through Nairobi.

The KQ and KTB partnership entails a global marketing collaboration and the partners will jointly invest in the development of new products by sharing ideas, knowledge and resources.