May 18, 2012
NEWS
News, Airlines, Business Travel in Africa
Kenyan airlines benefit from increased traffic to Juba
By: E-TA Staff | January 16,2011
Juba Airport
With the country’s present policies pushing demand for passengers and cargo to Southern Sudan, Kenyan airlines are cashing in on new rush to Juba.
Investors, particularly from the East Africa region, have been moving to Juba to benefit from the boundless opportunities arising from the virgin market with financial service providers, industrialist and workers jostling for a piece of South Sudan.
Kenyan companies such as Kenya Commercial Bank, Equity Bank, UAP and other smaller enterprises have already opened offices in the South Sudan.
Exports from Kenya to the region have more than doubled. South Sudan with its population of 12 million remains almost a virgin market with lack of domestic manufacturing sector to cater to local demands of consumer goods. Here’s an opportunity for Kenya to expand its exports.
The increased trade has generated additional demand for air travel between Juba and Nairobi, thus enabling Kenyan airlines to make huge benefits from the opening up of the region — both with chartered and scheduled flights.
This has prompted airlines to venture there, with Kenya Airways being the latest entrant on the route.
Unlike Kenya Airways, the other players offer point-to-point services, giving the Kenyan airline the advantage of connecting passengers from other destinations through the hub of Nairobi to the Southern Sudan town.
