Gulf carrier Oman Air will fly to Nairobi from March 27, marking the airline's re-entry into the Kenyan market.
The airline said its Boeing 737-800 flights will depart from Muscat on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, leaving at 2.50pm and arriving in Nairobi at 6.55pm.
From Nairobi, the flights will depart on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, leaving at 12 at night and arriving in Muscat at 6.50am.
“At Nairobi there will be convenient connections to other points in Africa in cooperation with Kenyan Airways. In Muscat the guests can get excellent connections offered by Oman Air to its destinations in the Far East, Indian subcontinent, Europe and GCC countries,” a statement from Oman Air said.
Oman Air deputy CEO and executive vice president commercial, Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, termed the return of flights by the national carrier to Kenya as “significant” for both countries.
“This new Oman Air route to the Kenyan capital Nairobi is a significant development for both countries. Trade between Kenya and Oman has been growing steadily over the years and I hope this new flight will facilitate the increase in bilateral trade and investment opportunities,” he said.
“We are committed to ensuring that our guests have greater choice and the opportunity to discover new destinations with Oman Air and we are delighted to be offering thousands more business and leisure travellers the opportunity to travel between Oman and Kenya (and beyond).”
Oman Air quit the Kenyan route several years ago shifting focus and increasing services to Zanzibar instead.
The Gulf carrier signalled a possible re-entry into the Kenyan route mid last year when it announced it was seeking Mombasa-based business partners.
The Omani carrier at the time sought general sales agents for passenger and general sales and service agents for cargo in the coastal town.
Oman Air also recently purchased an early morning slot and sub-leased aircraft from national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ).
Oman Air signed a wet leasing deal for two of KQ's Boeing 787-8s as part of the investment by the Middle Eastern airline.
The gulf carried has been expanding its presence globally, stepping up competition for its regional rivals including Qatar and Emirates Airlines.
The Kenyan airspace has seen increased activity with new entrants debuting flights as well as charters and the return of old players.
Royal Air Maroc, the Moroccan national airline, debuted flights to Nairobi in April last year.
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