German airline Lufthansa Group is looking to increase its footprint on the continent.
The airline launched its Airbus A340-300 on the Nairobi route four times a week from October last year.
“We are looking for ways to embolden our presence in Africa, serving as a bridge not only for the Powerhouse of East Africa, but for the entire continent.” Said Carsten Spohr Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
Speaking during a high level management conference held this week in Nairobi, Mr Spohr said that the airline will continue to bolster its presence across Africa with all divisions of the world’s leading aviation group, active on the continent and committed to expanding their business as well as local partnerships.
“For the Lufthansa Group this rich and diverse continent offers our companies new opportunities, building upon a rich heritage of service and dedication that spans over 90 years,” Mr Spohr said.
The Lufthansa Group passenger airline division encompassing Lufthansa German Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines already serves the African continent with 211 weekly flights to 32 destinations.
“Great things are especially happening here in Kenya and we are excited to have resumed service to Nairobi a few months ago,” Spohr said to the Kenyan Principle Secretary for Transportation Irungu Nayakera following the conclusion of the day’s conference.
Lufthansa also plans to “up gauge” its aircraft type on the Nairobi route in the second half of 2016 and increase capacity as Nairobi is one of the top tourism destinations for German as well as European and North American travellers.
Together with SWISS the Lufthansa Group intends to serve Nairobi this summer with nine weekly flights to Zurich and Frankfurt, respectively.
By Kawira Mutisya
