After the abolition of the visa requirement for citizens from all over the world as of 1 January 2024 and the replacement of the latter by the electronic travel authorisation (eTA), the Kenyan government is now trying to finally implement the so-called open skies policy to boost tourism and international trade.

The opening of the international airports of Nairobi and especially Mombasa to all foreign airlines wishing to arrive in Kenya, without any kind of restriction to grant them a licence, but only with a reciprocal agreement, has been avoided for years so as not to compromise Kenya's national airline Kenya Airways, at the expense, however, of a possible increase in the number of tourists and lower prices to travel to the country, thanks to the competition that would be created.

Now this policy, supported mainly by the private aviation sector, which allows airlines and for which the Kenyan tourism and trade associations have been fighting for a long time, may have been implemented.
The Minister of Transport, Kipchumba Murkomen, encouraged international airlines to use Mombasa's Moi International Airport and other regional airports, citing the 'Open Sky Policy'. This statement seems to be in line with the latest statements by President William Ruto, who has promised to do his utmost to make Kenya an ideal country for foreign investment.

After the opening of the Dubai-Mombasa route with the Emirates airline Fly Dubay, Murkomen stated that the Open Skies Policy 'will lead to the growth of the tourism and hospitality sector, the creation of direct and indirect jobs, and the revitalisation of the economy of Mombasa city and the region at large,' as reported by Kenyans website.

Undoubtedly, the need for the state coffers to obtain 'fresh' currency from the arrival of tourists and investors, given the serious economic situation in the country and the steep rise of the dollar against the Kenyan shilling, has hastened this decision.
It is clear that this solution, on the other hand, could decree the end or at least the downsizing of Kenya Airways, which Ruto has repeatedly stated that he wants to sell but which, with its burden of debts that increase year by year, is somewhat reminiscent of our former Alitalia.