Kenya open sales for NY flight

Kenya Airways says it will begin daily direct flights to the United States in October after years of being blocked by USA authorities over security concerns.

Kenya Airways (KQ) will commence direct daily flights from Nairobi to NY in October 2018.

Kenya Airways chief executive Sebastian Mikosz (centre) speaks during the launch of non-stop flight between Nairobi and NY.

Kenya Airways was is 2017 named Africa's Leading Airline of the year at the World Travel Awards gala ceremony held in Kigali, Rwanda.

Subsequent flights for the inaugural flight has started selling for KSH 87,000 ($869).

The Kenya Tourism Board also termed the national carrier's direct flight to the U.S.as a welcome development as it is expected to accelerate growth of the tourism industry by contributing to increased tourist arrivals.

It will arrive at JKF at 6.30am, while the return flight will depart at 1.30pm and arrive at JKIA at around 10.30am the next day. The ultra-long-haul flight, unique to Kenya Airways network, will require 4 Pilots and 12 Flight attendants as well as 85 tons of fuel each way, making it an exceptional operation.

The carrier, which is 7.8 percent owned by Air France KLM (AIRF.PA), has started taking bookings for the flights to and from NY that will carry 234 passengers each way on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane. From New-York it will depart at 1225 and land at JKIA at 1055 the following day. Its duration will be 15 hours eastbound and 14 hours westbound.

"The flights will substantially boost Kenya's global profile as a tourism destination as they will provide a shorter, quicker and more affordable connection for tourists and business", she said. This includes its flagship B787 Dreamliner aircrafts.

Kenya is East Africa's economic hub but has suffered from the extremist threat posed by the al-Shabab insurgency in neighboring Somalia.

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