KENYA Airways has announced that it will operate direct flights three times a week between its Nairobi hub and Blantyre starting from August 2 this year following approval from the government to operate the flights.

A press release from the airline dated June 17 indicates that Kenyan Airways will fly non-stop between the two cities on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays departing from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi at 11:45 hours on an Embraer E190 jet and arriving in Blantyre at 13:25 hours.

It says the return flight will leave Blantyre at 14:15 hours on the same day and arrive back in Nairobi at 18:00 hours.

According to Kenya Airways’ Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Titus Naikuni, the flights are timed to connect those departing to and arriving from key markets such as Europe, Far East and Middle East.

“These flights will contribute towards opening up the Southern Africa region to the rest of the world, through Nairobi by facilitating travel to and from various destinations across the world,” Naikuni is quoted as saying.

Blantyre becomes the second destination in the country that Kenya Airways flies to. The airline also flies to Lilongwe.

In April, the Malawi government granted approval for Kenya Airways to operate flights into Blantyre, besides agreeing to the resumption of the 5th Freedom Traffic Rights on the Lilongwe-Lusaka sector. –By Grace Thipa