JOHANNESBURG - Kenya Airways said on Thursday it would become the first airline to offer a non-stop flight between East Africa and the United States.
In a statement, the carrier, which already serves Africa, Europe, Middle-East, Indian sub-continent and Asia, said it would start selling tickets on Thursday for the inaugural flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to JFK airport in New York, scheduled for October 28 this year.
“The opening of the US destination completes an essential piece for Kenya Airways’ network, cementing its position as one of the leading African carriers,” it said.
With over 40 American multinationals located in Nairobi and many more across Africa, Kenya Airways said the launch of daily flights would spur more trade between the US and Africa.
“It fits within our strategy to attract corporate and high-end tourism traffic from the world to Kenya and Africa,” group managing director and CEO Sebastian Mikosz said.
The airline said the flight would be the fastest connection from East Africa to New York, with a 15-hour duration eastbound and 14 hours westbound.
