Encouragement from tourism industry for liberalization of air travel to enhance visitor influx
As of mid-2025, Kenya's international flight operations are active and expanding, with airlines like Kenya Airways enhancing connectivity. For instance, Kenya Airways launched a new service to London Gatwick in July 2025, reflecting growth in international flight options. Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport continues to handle a robust schedule of departures, including domestic and international flights, supporting the sector's expansion.
The tourism sector in Kenya is also experiencing significant growth. In 2024, the country recorded a notable 15% increase in international arrivals, reaching 2.4 million visitors, with tourism revenue rising correspondingly to KES 452 billion (approximately $1.2 billion) from KES 377 billion in 2023. The sector supports over 240,000 jobs and contributes significantly to GDP.
To accelerate growth towards the five million visitor target by 2027, tourism and aviation stakeholders are advocating for liberalized airspace policies, also known as "open skies", which would allow more international flights, including direct and charter services to key destinations such as Mombasa and Nairobi. There is a strong call for government action to reduce travel barriers, simplify procedures, and increase flight connectivity through regulatory reforms and infrastructure investment. Engaging youth in the sector and addressing skill mismatches in travel education are also priorities emphasized at recent industry meetings.
The global online travel market stood at $354 billion in 2021, and Sunil Kumar, President of the Universal Federation of Travel Agents' Association, estimates it will grow to $1,835 billion by 2030. In Kenya, the sector is facing competition from the growing presence of foreign-owned Travel Management Companies entering African markets. However, Kenya Airways has more aircraft in the pipeline to stabilise operations and grow the industry.
Kenya Airways will have a second entry point into the UK's Gatwick Airport next week, and the new flight is already full, according to Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu. Fraudulent, unlicensed operators have eroded consumer trust, but the government of Kenya recognizes travel agents as a critical bridge between aviation and the traveller.
In summary, the combined efforts of the aviation and tourism sectors aim to significantly boost Kenya’s international arrivals and economic impact by 2027. Key strategies include open skies liberalization, more direct flights, simplifying travel procedures, investing in infrastructure, youth engagement, and addressing skill mismatches in travel education.
- Businesses in the tourism industry in Kenya are thriving as the country recorded a 15% increase in international arrivals and a corresponding rise in tourism revenue in 2024.
- while the government advocates for liberalized airspace policies, also known as "open skies", to further boost international flights, Kenya Airways is expanding its operations to increase connectivity, such as the new service to London Gatwick.
- With the growing global online travel market projected to reach $1,835 billion by 2030, Kenya Airways aims to stabilize operations and grow the industry by adding more aircraft to its fleet.
- In personal-finance news, Kenya Airways' new flight to London Gatwick is already fully booked next week, demonstrating strong demand for international travel.
- To address the challenges faced by the sector, such as competition from foreign-owned Travel Management Companies and the need to engage youth, focusing on travel education and addressing skill mismatches is crucial for continued growth.
