Flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, officially launched its operations to Mombasa in Kenya on 17 January, expanding its network in Africa to a total of 12 destinations in 11 countries.
The inaugural flight, FZ 1289, departed from Dubai International (DXB) and was warmly received at Moi International Airport (MBA) with a celebratory water cannon salute.
Among the dignitaries present to welcome the passengers were Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir, Governor of Mombasa, Onesimus Murkomen, Minister of Roads and Transport, as well as representatives from Kenya Tourism and Kenya Airports Authority.
Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Subcontinent and Africa) at flydubai, was also on board the inaugural flight.
This milestone makes flydubai the first UAE national carrier to offer direct flights from Dubai to the picturesque coastal city in southeast Kenya.
During a press conference, Sudhir Sreedharan expressed flydubai’s dedication to enhancing its presence in Africa and providing passengers with convenient travel options to one of East Africa’s most alluring destinations.
“The start of operations will serve the growing Kenyan community in the UAE, support trade between our two countries, and provide passengers from the UAE and across our expanding flydubai network with access to a gateway for exploring Kenya’s tourism offerings,” he said.
Henry Ogoye, the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airports Authority, lauded the arrival of flydubai at Moi International Airport as a significant milestone for the aviation landscape in Kenya.
He emphasised that the airline’s presence not only strengthens connectivity between the two nations but also underscores the thriving partnership between Kenya and the UAE.
“The seamless connectivity this airline provides will undoubtedly strengthen our ties and facilitate trade and experiences between our two nations,” Ogoye said.
Flydubai currently operates a fleet of 84 Boeing 737 aircraft, serving a network of 123 destinations in 54 countries.
In 2023, the airline expanded its network by adding Cairo, Krabi, Milan, Pattaya, and Poznań.
Moreover, flydubai is scheduled to begin daily services to Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia on February 10.
The carrier’s network in Africa encompasses Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Asmara, Cairo, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Entebbe, Hargeisa, Juba, Mogadishu, Mombasa, and Zanzibar.
Flights to Moi International Airport (MBA) will operate four times a week, specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, departing from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB).
| FLIGHT NUMBER | DAYS | DEPARTURE AIRPORT | ARRIVAL AIRPORT | DEPARTURE TIMNE | ARRIVAL TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FZ 1289 | Wednesdays and Sundays | DXB | MBA | 09:20 | 13:55 |
| FZ 1290 | Wednesdays and Sundays | MBA | DXB | 14:55 | 21:25 |
| FZ 1289 | Mondays and Fridays | DXB | MBA | 16:00 | 20:25 |
| FZ 1290 | Mondays and Fridays | MBA | DXB | 21:25 | 03:55 |
Passengers will have additional connectivity options through Dubai’s international aviation hub, as Emirates will codeshare on this route.
Return fares from Dubai to Mombasa start from AED4,200 in Business Class and AED1,600 in Economy Class Lite.
Similarly, return fares from Mombasa to Dubai start from $1,500 in Business Class and $500 in Economy Class Lite.
