…Nigeria's number of passengers has increased by 10,000 in one year.
Kenya Airlines, the national airline in Kenya, has revealed that it is a frequent flyer from Nigeria, showing just how important the Nigerian market is.
The airline said two years ago it launched “Asante,” a newly enhanced frequent flyer program designed to reward its most loyal passengers.
The airline said it has observed that Nigeria has continued to remain at the top as the most frequent flyer since it launched an initiative aimed at enhancing the customer experience and assessing the most important markets.
At a press conference at the offices of Kenya Airlines Regional Manager Ngamau Stephen, Lagos, and Kenya Airlines, Kenya Airlines said that it would increase the frequency of flights to Lagos in 2024 from seven to 10 flights per week, leading to an increase in capacity of 21%.
Stephen said the enhancement will provide greater flexibility and convenience for travelers and enhance their commitment to the Nigerian market.
He said the increase in passenger numbers increased by 10,000 between 2023 and 2024, indicating the decision to increase Nigeria's capacity.
He noted that airlines are open to partner with local Nigerian airlines to increase connectivity in Nigeria and regionally and provide more travel options to passengers within and beyond.
Stephen praised the federal government for liquidating airlines' locked-up funds, thereby promoting a fostering environment for airlines to thrive.
“Kenya Airlines is grateful for the Nigerian government's coordinated efforts to promote the repatriation of airline funds. The government's commitment to solving key challenges in the aviation sector promotes a compromised environment for airlines to thrive. We look forward to using this positive momentum to expand operations and strengthen our service delivery,” Stephen said.
Speaking about Kenya's new visa system, the airline's regional manager praised the Kenya government for implementing progressive visa exemption policies in most African countries, including Nigeria, adding that the move will strengthen regional integration and promote smoother travel within Africa.
“To promote tourism and leisure travel, Kenya Airways has introduced attractive stopover packages in Nairobi. These offers allow passengers to explore Kenya's rich culture, wildlife and scenic landscapes during their transport, further enhancing the overall travel experience,” he explained.
Stephen also announced that it was introduced as London Gatwick's second gateway to the UK, adding that the expansion will enhance airline service delivery and will provide passengers with more travel options between Africa and the UK, while complementing their existing operations at London Heathrow.
