JKIA Achieves Last Point of Departure (LPD) Status for Direct Flights Between Kenya & US

JKIA has now achieved the Last Point of Departure (LPD) status which allows the airport to facilitate direct flights between Kenya and the US.

In a press statement by the Kenya Airports Authority, the National Carrier Kenya Airways will now fly directly to the US, presenting new opportunities for Kenyans in Travel, Trade and Commerce.

The 1st flight is scheduled to depart on 28th of October 2018.

“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. JKIA is now poised to become the premier hub in Africa," KAA MD Jonny Andersen conveyed.

The announcement comes a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta held talks with US President Donald Trump.

The discussions were geared towards cementing a relationship that was already strong between Kenya and the US.

On Wednesday, Kenya Airways PLC announced a 30.8 percent improvement in pre-tax results for the six month period ended June 30, 2018.

Overall, the Group’s results improved by 30.8 percent from a pre-tax loss of Ksh 5,771 million in 2017 to Ksh 3,992 million for the period ended 30 June 2018.

 “The business has remained resilient and is focused on delivering solid results. We continue to optimize the network to create more connections through our hub in Nairobi and in turn increase efficiency in order to reduce overall costs and return to profitability,” Kenya Airways chairman Michael Joseph stated.

 The Airline is focusing on the expansion of its network in a bid to cater for the growing needs of passengers and to strengthen its footprint in Africa.

During the period, Kenya Airways launched flights to Mauritius and non-stop flights to Cape Town, South Africa. The airline is in final preparations for its maiden non-stop flights to New York on October 28, 2018.

During the investors briefing held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, the Chairman said that Kenya Airways was committed to enhancing its service delivery across all touch points with the aim of making it more authentic and true to its brand proposition.