After a six-year hiatus, Tui Fly, one of the world’s leading tourist flights, has resumed operations at the Mombasa International Airport.
Tui, which had been organising charter flights to Mombasa, stopped flying into the region towards the end of 2019, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airline is a subsidiary of the Tui Group, a multinational leisure, travel and tourism company.
On Tuesday, the airline introduced a scheduled flight that will be flying into the region twice a week, with passengers mainly from Europe.
Captain Robert Gijsbertse from Tui Fly said they believe in the destination Mombasa.
“Tui believes in Kenya with Mombasa as its arrival airport. As a growth destination for the Dutch market, a vacation in Kenya is guaranteed adventure and relaxation with the magnificent game parks, beautiful beaches and excellent hotels,” he said.
Gijsbertse said they would be flying a Boeing 787 aircraft to Mombasa.
“The first flight is an important step in the right direction. We are looking forward to constructive cooperation in which we can make the most of the potential of this new destination.
Not only in terms of package holidays but also in terms of seat only and cargo,” he said.
Kenya Airports Authority Coast regional manager Abel Gogo said they are delighted to yet again receive the Tui flight into the Mombasa International Airport after six years.
“Tui Airlines used to operate here sometime before Covid but stopped and it has taken the effort of the government, the county government and all the tourism stakeholders to get them back. So, I want to sincerely thank each one of these great stakeholders for supporting us,” he said.
Mombasa county tourism executive Mohammed Osman, who was present to receive the plane, said they have been fighting for an open sky policy to allow more international flights into Mombasa.
“We have been advocating for open sky policy and we are glad that Tui is back. Very soon, we’re hoping to see Turkish Airlines coming back to Mombasa. That is something we’re all dreaming of and together we’ll have Mombasa bounce back,” he said.
According to Osman, Mombasa International Airport receives about 10 per cent of all the two million international visitors coming to Kenya annually.
“We want to ensure that of that two million international tourists, Mombasa International Airport can get around 20 to 30 per cent.
This is
what we are fighting for, and we are
working together with the national
government to ensure that we have
this open sky policy works,” he said.
