Kenya Airways has marked a major milestone by launching its inaugural direct flight to London Gatwick, a move aimed at strengthening its footprint in Europe and boosting passenger and cargo traffic. The national carrier’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Nairobi on Thursday evening and landed in London early Friday, covering a distance of over 6,000 kilometers in approximately eight and a half hours.
The new route adds to Kenya Airways’ existing London frequency, bringing the total number of weekly flights to the UK capital to 10. The Gatwick flights are currently scheduled for Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with expectations that growing demand could see the service upgraded to daily operations.
Speaking on the significance of the route, Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka highlighted the economic potential: “Gatwick will facilitate a lot of trade volumes, including about a 40 per cent boost in our belly cargo capacity. This will enable faster movement of goods and create more opportunities for Kenyan exporters targeting the UK market.”
Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu noted that the London route already accounts for over 10% of the airline’s revenue. “What is important is not just revenue, but profitable revenue,” he added, reinforcing the business logic behind selecting Gatwick as a strategic destination.
Government officials have also thrown their support behind the expansion. Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir praised the airline’s efforts to identify profitable routes, while Principal Secretary for Aviation & Aerospace Development, Terry Mbaika, emphasized the aviation sector’s contribution to Kenya’s economy — currently at 3.1% of GDP and supporting over 46,000 jobs.
The flight carried 171 passengers, many unaware of the route’s historic nature, but all part of a journey that symbolizes Kenya Airways’ ambition to reclaim its place among top global carriers. From crew coordination to fuel planning, the meticulous preparation by captains like Cathleen Kang’ethe and Koki Mutungi ensured a smooth and timely landing.
As Citizen TV’s Jimmy Mbogoh, who was on board, quipped: with this new route, you can now have dinner in Nairobi and breakfast in London a true game-changer in air travel.
