Brussels Airlines connects Nairobi to Brussels and beyond six times per week: an important milestone for the Belgian National Airline

Nairobi is a very attractive destination for tourism, businesses and diplomacy

Brussels, June 3, 2024 - Brussels Airlines has officially launched flights to Nairobi. The inaugural flight (SN 481) from Brussels to Jomo Kenyatta Airport took off earlier this morning. The Belgian national airline will connect Nairobi to Brussels up to six times per week. According to the Kenyan Tourism Board (KTB), the new route will generate extra tourism business and boost Kenya’s economy.

With many connections beyond Brussels throughout Europe and the United States of America, travel options to and from Kenya are significantly expanding thanks to the new route of Brussels Airlines. In the other direction, Europe is the second highest source market contributing to 29% of market share into Kenya, recording 572,352 arrivals last year.

“Connectivity is our key enabler in tourism arrivals into Kenya and we believe that Brussels Airlines will be a major boost towards this front.”
-
June Chepkemei, CEO, Kenyan Tourism Board

Brussels Airlines is the Africa expert within Lufthansa Group, with currently 18 destinations is sub-Saharan Africa. And the airline has ambitious growth plans, with Nairobi (Kenya) as first tangible result of this expansion.

Since the flights went on sale, 50.000 people already booked their ticket to visit Nairobi or to fly from Nairobi to Brussels, making this route already a success before the first flight took off.

We see a very high interest in our home market Belgium to explore Kenya. Our first flights to Nairobi are completely full. Nairobi is a vibrant city and the perfect gateway for an unforgettable trip to Kenya. The other way around we offer connections to Europe and beyond via Brussels to let Kenyans explore the world, study, or grow their businesses.”
-
Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines

The first flight departed from Brussels after a gate-event in the presence of Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines, Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport and Peter Maddens, the Belgian ambassador in Kenya.

"It is also very important and good news for us as an airport that Brussels Airlines is expanding its network with a direct flight to Kenya. This further strengthens both their Africa network and our role as an intercontinental hub for our country. Both for tourism and as a developing African economic centre, Nairobi is an interesting destination for Belgian passengers and transfer passengers. A launch we are happy to support!"
- Arnaud Feist, CEO Brussels Airport

 

 

Nico Cardone

Nico Cardone

For media requests only

 

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About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, 18 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs more than 3,500 people and operates 44 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines aims to emit 50% less CO2 by 2030 compared to 2019 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The airline is participating in the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport and is therefore part of the testing ground for sustainable aviation at its home base. In addition, the airline signed the Circular Economy agreement of the Antwerp Management School in 2021. The airline was the first to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS-pipeline connecting Brussels Airport early 2023. By end 2024, Brussels Airlines will have welcomed five state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo allowing the airline to significantly lower its CO2- and noise-emissions on its medium-haul network.

As an ambassador of its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, among others through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, Belgian culinary products and the Belgian Icons, specially painted aircraft that honour a Belgian iconic person, team or event to promote Belgian culture worldwide.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in almost 190 countries.

Star Alliance Press Office: +65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com
More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Zone General Aviation - Airport Building 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com