Jubba Airways plans to launch direct flights between Nairobi and Khartoum in December, seeking to improve connectivity between Kenya and Sudan and serve business travellers, families and tourists.
Captain S Nasser, the airline’s director of business development, said the proposed service would operate twice a week using a Fokker 70 aircraft with 76 seats, including six in business class and 70 in economy.
Speaking during a meeting at the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi, Nasser said the airline was targeting the first week of December, although the exact launch date and operating days were yet to be confirmed.
“We are looking at inaugurating in December, which right now is 90 per cent through,” he said, adding that consultations with the Sudanese ambassador and travel agents would help finalise the plans.
Currently, passengers travelling between Nairobi and Khartoum rely on connecting flights through cities such as Addis Ababa and Dubai. Some journeys take between 10 and 18 hours because of lengthy stopovers.
Nasser said the direct service would take approximately three and a half hours each way, significantly reducing travel time and the inconvenience associated with connecting flights.
“Nairobi and Khartoum have always been a very important trade route,” he said, noting that the airline wanted to restore convenient air connectivity between the two cities.
Nasser said ticket prices were yet to be confirmed and would be announced through the airline’s general sales agent, which will handle ticket sales.
The proposed route comes amid concerns over the high cost of air travel within Africa, with limited competition and barriers to market access often cited as contributing factors.
Nasser said increased competition and the introduction of low-cost carriers alongside national airlines could make air travel across the continent more affordable.
“It would be wonderful to have a low-cost carrier model in every country,” he said.
He added that Jubba Airways was consulting the Sudanese Embassy and aviation contacts to assess operational requirements and ensure safety standards were met. The airline was also reviewing information from pilots operating in the region as part of its preparations.
“We have to make sure that our aircraft and our crew are safe. Consumer safety is very important to us,” he said.
Jubba Airways plans to deploy one Fokker 70 aircraft on the route, with return flights operating on the same day. The airline also intends to create employment opportunities for Kenyans and Sudanese nationals, including cabin crew members.
Nasser said the airline would prioritise safety, reliability and punctuality to ensure passengers could depend on scheduled departure times.
Beyond business travel, the service is expected to support tourism and family visits between Kenya and Sudan. Nasser cited attractions in Sudan, including the River Nile, the Red Sea and historical sites, saying improved air connectivity could encourage more visitors to explore the country.
The airline hopes to launch the service in time for the Christmas and New Year holiday season, potentially strengthening trade, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.
