The Kenyan national airline Kenya Airways is trying to see more pink in its future thanks to the good results of the first five months of operation on the Rome-Nairobi-Rome route. Despite all the difficulties of start-up, the changes in timetables for connections with Malindi and the misadventures of those who were diverted at the last minute to Geneva, Paris or Amsterdam, the number of customers who have used Kenya Airways from Italy has so far been 25 thousand passengers and the data in the possession of the company, with the strategic partnership of Alitalia, partner of Sky Team Alliance, indicate continued growth.
The reintroduction of the route, which coincided with the relaunch of direct flights between Nairobi and Malindi, has made it possible to attract both business and leisure travellers from Europe. Today Rome is the fifth destination for passenger flow for Kenya Airways.
Italy is one of Kenya's largest markets of origin in the business and leisure travel segment, with over 65,000 passengers visiting the country in 2018. Malindi, which is the main destination for Italian tourists and the seat of the largest Italian community in Kenya, is considered fundamental for the route, as in the last three years it has been regaining its numbers thanks above all to a new appeal for seaside tourism. This is what the experts say that provide for possible expansions on Italy. Last month, Kenya Airways signed an agreement with the railway ticketing company AccesRail, to provide passengers with greater connectivity from Fiumicino airport to various destinations throughout Europe, including 27 national railway stations.