SIMBA KALI
2nd Feb 2005, 21:30
KQ receives Miami route offer
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By Noel Wandera
The Miami International Airport has presented a business proposal to Kenya Airways to operate three direct weekly flights to Miami.
Miguel Southwell, the airport’s assistant business development director, yesterday assured Kenya Airways there would be enough passenger and freight capacity to sustain the operation.
At a press conference, Southwell said he presented the proposal when he held business talks with KQ’s Chief Executive Officer, Titus Naikuni, on Tuesday.
"We have engaged a consultancy company to develop the proposal. We think there are over 80,000 passengers between Miami and Kenya," said Southwell.
He said apart from the number of passengers, Miami was the receiving point of 70 per cent of all perishable commodities coming into the US.
Kenya exports cut flowers, fruits and vegetables to the US through airport.
According to Southwell, the direct flight would reduce the number of flight hours by half, from 32 hours to 16 hours.
He was speaking when he met with the Acting Director of Tourism, Wanjiku Makanga, at the Ministry of Tourism boardroom.
He was accompanied by Fred Olodeinde, president of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.
Southwell said Kenya Airways could also tap into the Miami tourist market.
"Though I cannot divulge the financial details of the proposals, but we could not have approached Kenya Airways if the deal would not bring profit to them," he said.
The Miami airports’ courtship with KQ, however, comes at a price. It is understood that Southwell and his team wants KQ to sever its partnership with KLM if the local carrier is to fly to Miami.
Similarly, flights to Miami would have to wait for the upgrading of JKIA from the current category two, to a Category one status.
Meanwhile, KQ has started its inaugural flights to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo at an introductory offer of US$495.
Subsequently, the airline will now be flying two-weekly flights between Nairobi and Lubumbashi every Wednesday and Saturday, using the Boeing 737-700 and 737-300 aircraft.
A new day to come for KQ :ok: :ok: :ok:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Noel Wandera
The Miami International Airport has presented a business proposal to Kenya Airways to operate three direct weekly flights to Miami.
Miguel Southwell, the airport’s assistant business development director, yesterday assured Kenya Airways there would be enough passenger and freight capacity to sustain the operation.
At a press conference, Southwell said he presented the proposal when he held business talks with KQ’s Chief Executive Officer, Titus Naikuni, on Tuesday.
"We have engaged a consultancy company to develop the proposal. We think there are over 80,000 passengers between Miami and Kenya," said Southwell.
He said apart from the number of passengers, Miami was the receiving point of 70 per cent of all perishable commodities coming into the US.
Kenya exports cut flowers, fruits and vegetables to the US through airport.
According to Southwell, the direct flight would reduce the number of flight hours by half, from 32 hours to 16 hours.
He was speaking when he met with the Acting Director of Tourism, Wanjiku Makanga, at the Ministry of Tourism boardroom.
He was accompanied by Fred Olodeinde, president of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.
Southwell said Kenya Airways could also tap into the Miami tourist market.
"Though I cannot divulge the financial details of the proposals, but we could not have approached Kenya Airways if the deal would not bring profit to them," he said.
The Miami airports’ courtship with KQ, however, comes at a price. It is understood that Southwell and his team wants KQ to sever its partnership with KLM if the local carrier is to fly to Miami.
Similarly, flights to Miami would have to wait for the upgrading of JKIA from the current category two, to a Category one status.
Meanwhile, KQ has started its inaugural flights to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo at an introductory offer of US$495.
Subsequently, the airline will now be flying two-weekly flights between Nairobi and Lubumbashi every Wednesday and Saturday, using the Boeing 737-700 and 737-300 aircraft.
A new day to come for KQ :ok: :ok: :ok: