US Gives Kenya Sh150 Million for JKIA as It Okays Nonstop Flights to New York City

Kenya Airways (KQ) has received an authorization letter allowing it to commence direct flights to the United States.

The letter was officially presented by the outgoing American Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec on Thursday in a ceremony attended by Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia among other government officials.

Speaking at the event in Nairobi, Godec also announced the US will give Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Sh150 million to help it improve security, equipment and training at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

“It will connect our people in a way that will help boost trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries,” Godec said.

KAA director general Jonny Andersen said the inaugural nonstop flight to New York will depart JKIA on October 28th as earlier scheduled.

“This is a major achievement for Kenya as JKIA becomes one of the elite African airports to be certified as a last point of departure to the United States,” 

On his part, CS Macharia promised to build an expressway from JKIA to Nairobi CBD to facilitate fast movement of passengers.

“This is a great milestone not only for KQ but also the country. All stakeholders should be geared to protect this achievement.”

“We have been exporting our flowers through Europe. They get there when they are of lower value. These new flights will reduce the time for exports thus allowing our produce to fetch better prices,” said Macharia.

Also attending the ceremony was Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Sebastian Mikosz and other officials.