TUI Poland is expected to introduce charter flights to Mombasa from mid-July to October after a deal was reached between the Kenyan government and representatives of TUI Poland during a visit last month.

Pollman’s Tours and Safaris MD, Khalid Shapi, a Kenyan agent for TUI, said: “TUI Poland will for the first time be flying tourists to the Kenyan coast during the European summer season from July, with a capacity of 180 passengers.”

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The tour firm will operate to Mombasa weekly with a possibility of continuing through the winter period to April 2017.

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The tourists will stay in hotels in Mombasa and beach resorts on Kenya’s south coast.

TUI Europe and TUI UK are also expected to operate charter flights to Mombasa between November 2017 and 2018.

Representatives of the tour firm were in Mombasa last month to accustom themselves with the tourist products, and toured hotels, Moi International Airport in Mombasa, national parks and game reserves.

When TUI Poland introduces the charter flights to Mombasa in July, it will benefit from the over $10 million charter incentive programme that the Kenyan government announced last year. Incentives include waiving of landing fees at Moi and Malindi airports and a $30 subsidy per passenger on the charters terminating either in Mombasa or Malindi.

Last month, an Italian charter airline, Meridiana Fly, signed a contract with the Kenyan government to fly tourists to Mombasa while, in return, enjoying the charter incentives.

More charter airlines from Italy are expected to follow suit as a result of negotiations between Kenyan government officials and Italian airline executives, tour operators and travel agents.

Hoteliers at the Kenya coast expect guest numbers to increase from mid-July when some European airlines also resume charter flights to Mombasa.