Low-cost airline, Jambojet, has increased its flights to Kenya’s coastal resort towns following passenger demand. In a press release, the Kenyan budget carrier said it would operate 62 flights a week to Mombasa, Diani and Malindi.

Flights between Nairobi and Mombasa have been increased to 39 a week, up from 22, and four flights have been added to the Nairobi-Ukunda route, bringing its services to Diani to 14 flights a week. There are now 20 flights a week between Nairobi and Kisumu, up from the previous 14. The fast-growing routes from Nairobi to Kisumu and Eldoret now have weekday afternoon flights.

Jambojet CEO, William Hondius, said: “We will be offering up to six flights a day to Mombasa. We will also introduce a 7am flight for business travellers flying from Nairobi to Mombasa.”

The airline will now have 29 additional weekly flights, in addition to the current 73, to Mombasa, Ukunda, Malindi, Eldoret and Kisumu.

Diani Reef Beach Resort MD, Bobby Kamani, applauded Jambojet for increasing flights to Ukunda, saying the move would boost tourism in the South Coast. He said the direct flights between Nairobi and Ukunda were more convenient for tourists, who wanted to avoid ferry delays at the Likoni channel in Mombasa. “It is a step in the right direction for Jambojet to have increased flights on the Nairobi-Ukunda route. Instead of tourists flying from Nairobi to Mombasa and then needing to board the ferry, they can fly direct to Diani for holiday.”

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast Branch Executive Officer, Sam Ikwaye, also lauded the budget airline for increasing flights to Mombasa, adding that it would create more space for international tourists from Nairobi to connect to the coastal city.

Jambojet recently phased out its Boeing 737, which had been leased from Kenya Airways, and will now operate its three new Dash 8 Q400 prop aircraft.