Historic Kenya Airways Maiden Nonstop Flight to the US Takes Off Tonight

President Kenyatta is on Sunday night expected to preside over the launch of the historic Kenya Airways inaugural nonstop flight to the United States.

The 234 passenger capacity KQ Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft will depart Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 10:25 pm on Sunday and touch the ground at the JFK International Airport in New York on Monday at 1:30 pm East African Time (EAT)

The launch will make Kenya the first East African country and the eighth in the continent to operate nonstop flights to the US.

Kenya will join South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana and Morocco as African countries operating direct flights to the US.

Last week, Statehouse Spokesperson Kanze Dena said the direct flights will open the country to more investors and tourists from the US as well as strengthen relationship with other East African nations.

“The President will be excited to join Kenyans at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to launch the first direct flight from Africa to New York,” said Kanze Dena in a press briefing.