National carrier Kenya Airways will add three new routes to its destination portfolio next year in its quest to return to profitability.
In the new plan, the carrier is eyeing already established partnerships with multinational hotel chains to inform its new growth strategy.
Alongside the recently announced direct flights resumption to Mogadishu, Somalia, in February next year, KQ has lined up Gaborone in Botswana and Maputo in Mozambique.
Kenya Airways, chief commercial and customer officer, Julius Thairu, noted that the introduction of the airlines will play a key role in KQs journey back to profitability.
“The new routes to Gaborone and Maputo will begin in June and December 2024. Our growth is more focused on where we believe there is opportunity for growth,” said Thairu.
The national carrier has been scaling up operations with the resumption of old routes and the introduction of new ones.
Last month, it announced the resumption of flights from Nairobi to Bangkok, Thailand.
KQ will ply the route five times a week. The route will provide travellers from Africa with convenient connections via Nairobi to the popular tourist destination in Thailand.
The route, reinstated as part of KQ's economic recovery strategy, was launched in 2003 but suspended in 2020 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
In a recent move, the carrier and Serena Hotels announced a new partnership for members of their respective loyalty programs, Asante Rewards and Serena Prestige Club, with a range of benefits to make their travel experiences "richer and more rewarding."
Serena Hotels and Kenya Airways will be able to leverage each entity's strengths, offering a harmonious blend of exclusive privileges, seamless travel experiences, and stays.
In this partnership, Kenya Airways elite plus platinum and gold Asante Rewards members will have lifetime platinum status membership in Serena Loyalty programme prestige club, whereas the silver elite Asante members will now enjoy gold status in Serena prestige club.
Members of both programs will enjoy discounted offers on food, beverage accommodation and flights.
Kenya Airways Asante Rewards program was launched earlier in the year as an appreciation of customer loyalty by the airline.