Belgian national carrier Brussels Airlines is back on the Nairobi-Brussels route after almost a decade pushing up the number of European flights renewing their appetite for the Kenyan route.
The airline operated the route between 2002 and 2015. Its resumption comes just weeks after Etihad Airways also unveiled their direct link between Kenya and UAE.
The inaugural flight from Nairobi to Brussels landed at Jomo Kenyatta Airport on June 3, 2024.
The airline operating under the Lufthansa Group will connect Nairobi to Brussels six times per week during summer and cut the frequency to four in winter.
“Even if this is a business decision, it has far much greater significance. This connection will serve as the backbone of our relations and it’s a win-win for both countries,” said Lufthansa group general manager for East Africa Kevin Markette.
The airline said already 50,000 people have booked their ticket to visit Nairobi or to fly from Nairobi to Brussels, making the route a success before the first flight took off.
Brussels Airlines CEO Dorothea von Boxberg said that there has been a very high interest in Belgium to explore Kenya, which will drive up business for the airline.
"Our first flights to Nairobi are completely full. Nairobi is a vibrant city and the perfect gateway for an unforgettable trip to Kenya. The other way around we offer connections to Europe and beyond via Brussels to let Kenyans explore the world, study, or grow their businesses," said Boxberg.
According to the Kenyan Tourism Board (KTB), the new route will boost tourism arrivals which is good for the economy.
“Europe is a key source market for Kenya, ranking second with almost 30 per cent market share and contributing more than half a million arrivals last year. The expected increase in Belgian arrivals will further strengthen this numbers,” said David Tanki KTB board member.
Last year, Europe contributed 29 percent of visitor numbers to Kenya, recording 572,352 arrivals. In 2023, arrivals from Belgium to Kenya hit 13,000 from 10,000 reported in 2022.
With many connections beyond Brussels throughout Europe and the United States of America, travel options to and from Kenya are significantly expanding thanks to the new route of Brussels Airlines.
"Connectivity is our key enabler in tourism arrivals into Kenya and we believe that Brussels Airlines will be a major boost towards this front," added Tanki.
