KENYA AIRWAYS LEAVES ABU DHABI ROUTE TO CODE SHARE PARTNER ETIHAD
(Posted 04th March 2014)
While citing ‘operational reasons’ for the suspension of direct flights by Kenya Airways – hitherto three times a week using a B737NG on the route – it is obvious that after taking a hard look at load factors for this service, and the demand for aircraft to be deployed on more profitable routes, Kenya Airways did the right thing and left the daily connections between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi to code share partner Etihad, which continues to operate the route under a dual flight number.
Up to three B737-300 will be turned over to KQ’s in house low cost carrier Jambojet, which is due to commence flight operations on April 01st, leaving Kenya Airways somewhat short of short and medium haul birds, perhaps another reason prompting the decision to halt their own flights to the capital of the UAE and rather book their passengers on the corresponding daily A320 flight of Etihad.
Jambojet’s fleet is being reconfigured with an all economy class cabin and repainted in their own pink livery after leasing the three aircraft from Kenya Airways ahead of starting flights from Nairobi to Mombasa (five a day), to Kisumu (twice a day) and to Eldoret (ten times a week).
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