Starting from the 27th of September 2019, Air India, which is the national carrier of India, will resume direct flights between Mumbai and Nairobi.
The flights will reportedly occur four times a week and will cut the time used to travel between Mumbai and Nairobi from between 10 and 11 hours, to six hours and will save costs as well as hours spent on flights which usually involve long stopovers in Dubai.
The Indian High Commissioner to Kenya; Rahul Chhabra, made it known that the flights are expected to boost trade and connectivity between the two countries.
“I am excited to announce that Air India is launching direct flights between Mumbai and Nairobi on September 27, that also coincides with World Tourism Day.”
“This will improve trade between Kenya and India and is a testimony that India attaches great significance to the people of Kenya,” added Mr Chhabra.
Air India in the past, operated directly between India and Kenya but later abandoned its operations.
Data released by the Tourism CS Najib Balala In January 2019, showed that India ranked among the top five markets for tourist international arrivals in Kenya.
Trade between India and Kenya is currently estimated at $2 billion (200 billion Kenyan Shillings) annually.
Some of the other major sectors of both countries’ economies which will greatly benefit from the Mumbai to Nairobi direct flights include agriculture, education, health and pharmaceuticals.
A large number of Kenyans currently travel to India mostly for medical reasons, such as cancer treatment, transplant surgery and joint replacements.
India which is one of the most popular destinations for medical travel with low travel fares and more affordable treatment options, also offers 400 fully funded scholarships to Kenyan students yearly to study in various institutions of higher learning.
