National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has today February 15, 2024, officially resumed flights to Mogadishu, Somalia after a four-year break.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen and his Defense counterpart Aden Duale officially flagged off the first direct KQ flight from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Mogadishu.

"Somalia, whose airspace recently regained Class A certification, becomes the 44th destination for Kenya Airways," Murkomen said.

The Transport CS added that KQ's three weekly flights to Somalia will enhance trade between Kenya and Somalia.

"The three weekly flights will bring immense benefits for the people of both countries through enhanced trade, improved connectivity and bolstered regional cohesion and integration," Murkomen said.

The national carrier in November 2023 announced the decision to resume direct flights to Somalia with three weekly flights.

The flights will be scheduled every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

KQ said the Wednesday and Saturday flights would leave Nairobi at 14:00 and arrive in Mogadishu at 15:45, with flight number KQ362, while flight number KQ363 would leave Mogadishu at 16:35 and arrive in Nairobi at 18:20.

The flight resumption to Somalia is part of KQ's network expansion strategy and commitment aimed at enhancing connectivity across the African continent to contribute to long-term economic progress.

The national carrier also last year resumed direct flights to Bangkok, Thailand, three years after it suspended the route because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last week, KQ started ferrying cargo directly between Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Somalia's capital Mogadishu as it also aims to expand its cargo business.

The airline launched a weekly flight from February 9, 2024, with plans to increase it to twice a week in April.

The national carrier partnered with Dubai-based sales agent Global GSA Cargo LLC as its logistics partner to service the route.