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Kenya Airways to begin direct flights to U.S. in April 2018

Xinhua, May 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Kenya Airways is likely to begin direct flights between Kenya and the U.S. in April 2018, officials said Wednesday.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General Gilbert Kibe told Xinhua in Nairobi that the national carrier has already made major progress in gaining authority to fly to America.

"Kenya Airways has applied to the U.S. Department of Transport for an air service license to be eligible to travel to the nation," Kibe said.

"The process to get economic authority to operate in the U.S. is likely to take at least eight months before it receives approval," Kibe said on the sidelines of the East African Business Council Regional Validation Workshop For the Study on costs and benefits of open skies.

Early this year, Kenya's main airport Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) achieved category one status.

This means that the U.S. government's Federal Aviation Authority is satisfied that Kenya's regulatory oversight capability is at world class level.

The Kenyan carrier will also have to apply to get the technical authority to obtain a U.S. air operating certificate.

"The U.S. will have to audit the JKIA to ensure that it confirms with international safety standards so that passengers and cargo are safe to enter the North American nation," he added. Endit