President William Ruto called for direct flights between Kenya and Israel to improve tourism in both states while meeting Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 9, 2023.
The last time there was a direct flight between the two states was from Moi International Airport, Mombasa to Ben-Gurion International Airport 20 years ago.
“Without free movement, tourism is severely restricted,” Ruto stated.
On November 28, 2002, a Boeing 757-3E7 operated by Arkia Airlines with 261 people aboard was targeted by Al-Qaeda militants who fired two surface-to-air missiles that missed their targets. They later attacked the Paradise Hotel in Kikambala, Kilifi County killing 15 people.
Since then, airports in Kenya underwent major upgrades which allowed Kenya to operate direct flights between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and John F. Kennedy International Airport, in New York, USA.
Additionally, he vouched for increased trade between Kenya and Israel noting that it would be mutually beneficial to citizens of the two countries.
“We must exploit these opportunities. There is a wide range of exports that deserve to reach the Israel market.
“We are underperforming, but we have clear potential to do much more,” Ruto stated.
He added that a review of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement would increase the movement of people between the two countries.
On his part, PM Netanyahu noted that he was keen on seeing more trade between the two countries.
“It is our focus that we remain stable and peaceful as we pursue our socio-economic friendship,” Netanyahu revealed.
Earlier, President Ruto met the President of Israel Isaac Herzog and they agreed to deepen the long-standing ties between Nairobi and Jerusalem.
“We have a great history together going back to 60 years.
“We always remember our first president, President Jomo Kenyatta, who laid the foundation for the Israel Embassy two days after our independence. It was the first such event for any country,” Ruto told Herzog.
