Direct flights between Kenya and the US are expected to begin after an assessment of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi in May by a US transport safety team.

Kenya was granted Category One status by the US government last week following an assessment audit by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other US agencies – a development that is expected to be followed by the introduction of direct flights between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the US.

Kenya’s Transport Principal Secretary, Irungu Nyakera, says a Transport Safety Agency team from the US is expected to assess security and safety measures at JKIA in May before clearing the airport to handle direct flights between Kenya and the US.

“We have confidence that, after the assessment, our airport will be given the go-ahead to serve direct flights between the two countries.

 “If US’s Delta Air Lines applies for the Air Operator Certificate, we will grant them so that they can inaugurate direct flights to our country,” he said.

Kenya Airways has said that it plans to undertake a commercial evaluation and discussions with the relevant authorities to determine the viability and timing of operations. 

“Our first priority now is to pursue codeshare arrangements with our partners in the SkyTeam alliance. This will enable us to sell tickets to and from any US state and drive revenues directly to us,” said Kenya Airways’ MD and CEO, Mbuvi Ngunze. “This process will take time but we will start immediately.”

Last year, the US emerged as Kenya’s top source market after overtaking the UK, which held the spot for years.