Kenya’s national carrier; Kenya Airways (KQ), has suspended passenger flights to Somalia over what it terms as ‘operational challenges’ in what could trigger yet another transportation quagmire within the Horn of Africa.
Kenya Airways is one of the major airlines using the Mogadishu route, and the suspension comes at the time Somalia is at loggerheads with Ethiopia, whose airline plays the route. Ethiopia and Somalia are wrangling over an agreement signed with Somaliland over access to sea.
The airline says the decision was taken after “careful analysis and consideration in the best interest of the airline in the prevailing business environment.” The company, however, announced profits recently after years of making losses.
Some of the aviation officials believe the decision was forced by market conditions after stiff competition from several low-cost, fixable Somali airline companies operating on the same route, leading to losses on the Kenyan national carrier.
Somali airline companies offer cheap and flexible booking, cancellations with almost no penalties, and the chance to buy one-way tickets as they frequently fly between Somalia and Kenya, officials told the Voice of America.
EgyptAir which launched flights to Mogadishu in July is reportedly attracting significant customers and could increase flights from twice a week. Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways already have sizeable market share in Somalia; as well as Ethiopian Airlines.
Kenya Airways said the suspension of its flights to Mogadishu, Somalia is effective October 14, 2024. This decision was communicated by CEO Allan Kilavuka in a letter to Mohamed Daghar, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
The suspension follows a strategic review by the KQ Board due to prevailing operational challenges, the letter noted. Kenya has often suspended flights to Somalia, sometimes due to political climate, security, and diplomatic disagreements.
