NAIROBI, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Airways said on Monday that it has signed a code-share agreement with EgyptAir (MS), on the Nairobi-Cairo route, in a bid to improve connectivity to Egypt in northern Africa.
Kenya Airways Group CEO Sebastian Mikosz said the agreement will see EgyptAir load Kenya Airways flight code on the Egyptian carriers' four flights between Cairo and Nairobi from June 1.
This, Mikosz said, will allow the national carrier to resume direct market access between Nairobi and Cairo since its own operations were suspended in August 2013.
"As African airlines, partnerships are our biggest opportunity as we seek to sustainably develop Africa. This is indeed in line with the core purpose of Kenya Airways," he said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
Passengers will benefit primarily from more options of connectivity between Cairo and Nairobi which will enable them to travel more conveniently through both airlines' hubs, Cairo International Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Mikosz said the partnership will enable customers of both carriers to enjoy the benefits of each other's network.
"As COMESA member countries, this partnership enhances bilateral trade as well as enabling both carriers to offer customers seamless connectivity between Kenya and Egypt, especially for our passengers in the region who mainly travel for business and leisure. Our guests will now be able to enjoy flights to Cairo either directly from Nairobi or through Entebbe or Khartoum," said Mikosz.
The CEO of EgyptAir Holding, Safwat Musallam stressed the importance of this cooperation, as a step in stimulating economic cooperation between Egypt and Kenya
"EgyptAir has initiated the partnership with Kenya Airways as a foundation for future commercial operational opportunities between both airlines. The cooperation also reinforces our commitment towards our customers by increasing the range of destinations all around the world with seamless connectivity," Safwat said. Enditem
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