BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Kenya Airways has identified Nigeria as a key market in its African expansion strategy, unveiling plans to increase flight capacity on the Lagos route, launch services to Abuja and deepen business, leisure and medical tourism links between the two countries.
The airline announced the plans at a dinner and awards ceremony in Lagos, where it honoured travel agents, tour operators and other industry partners for their contributions to its growth and performance in the Nigerian market over the past year.
Speaking at the event, Kenya Airways Country Manager for Nigeria, James Nganga, said the airline was strengthening connectivity from Lagos while encouraging greater business and tourism traffic to Kenya.
According to him, the airline is also promoting Kenya as a preferred holiday destination and expanding medical tourism through its partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.
“We are enhancing our connectivity out of Lagos. We are also supporting more business into Kenya because we feel there are a lot of opportunities. We are promoting Kenya as a holiday destination and, more recently, as a medical destination in partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi,” Nganga said.
The airline’s General Manager for West Africa and the Americas, Stephen Ngamau, disclosed that Kenya Airways would begin operating its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Lagos route six times weekly from the following week as part of efforts to meet growing passenger demand.
He also revealed that the airline plans to commence flights to Abuja in the near future and is exploring partnerships with Nigerian airlines to improve domestic connectivity for passengers travelling through its Nairobi hub to destinations across Africa and beyond.
Ngamau added that Kenya Airways also intends to expand leisure travel through its KQ Holidays package, offering more tourism opportunities for Nigerian travellers.
The airline’s Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu, described Nigerian travel agents as critical partners whose support has remained central to the airline’s success in the country.
He said a significant portion of Kenya Airways’ ticket sales comes through travel trade partners, who serve as the airline’s primary interface with customers.
“Today is a very important day because we are celebrating the success of the partnership we have with our trade partners here in Nigeria. They play a critical role in selling our products and connecting customers to Nairobi and other destinations across Africa,” he said.
Also speaking, Kenya’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Isaac Keen Parashina, described Nigeria as one of Kenya’s most important markets, noting that Kenya’s visa-free policy for Nigerians had contributed to increased travel between both countries.
He said Nigerians can now visit Kenya for up to 60 days without obtaining a visa, describing the policy as part of Kenya’s broader commitment to African integration and the free movement of people.
The ambassador stressed that efficient air transport remains essential to achieving continental integration, adding that Kenya Airways continues to serve as a vital bridge connecting Nigeria with Kenya and other African destinations.
He also endorsed the airline’s partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital, describing the facility as one of Africa’s leading teaching and specialist hospitals.
Partnerships Director at Aga Khan University Hospital, Pauline Ngatia, said the not-for-profit institution operates a 300-bed teaching hospital supported by 54 medical centres and offers subsidised accommodation for patients travelling for treatment.
The event ended with the presentation of awards to travel agencies and tour operators that recorded outstanding sales and revenue performance for the airline.
Among the major winners, Bon Voyage Travels received the Best Asante Award, while 247 Travels emerged Best Selling Agent for the Middle East and Africa.
Wakanow won several honours, including Best Selling Agent for Europe and America, Best Seller to Destination Kenya, Best Overall Business Class Performing Agent, Overall Best Seller Intra-Africa, and Best Revenue Performing Agent.
Other recipients included Luchia Travels and Mardis Travels for Best Group Support Agent, Cinderella Travel & Tours for the Rising Star Award, Tour Brokers International as Overall Best Seller Tour Operator, while FCM Travel, BTM Travels and American Express Global Travel received the Top Driving Corporate Revenue Awards. Satguru Travel & Tours and 247 Travels were also recognised among the airline’s top revenue-performing agents.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
