The Belgian Lufthansa subsidiary is expanding in its focus market of Africa. In a significant development for both Brussels Airlines and East Africa, the Belgian carrier is set to receive an additional Airbus A330, marking a return to its pre-pandemic fleet size. This expansion comes hand in hand with the reopening of a vital route to Nairobi and increased flight frequency to Kigali, signifying a growing commitment to East African connectivity.
The Return to Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya, holds a special place in Brussels Airlines’ history. Having been part of their network from 2002 to 2015, the city is set to once again grace their route map. Commencing in June 2024, direct flights will connect Brussels to Nairobi, promising increased accessibility for travelers. Ticket sales for this eagerly anticipated route are already slated to begin shortly.
With the addition of the tenth long-haul aircraft, Brussels Airlines aims to strengthen its presence in Africa significantly. During the summer season, the flight to Nairobi will operate six times a week – except Tuesdays, offering ample opportunities for travel. Even during the winter season, when many routes see reduced frequency, Nairobi will remain well-connected with four weekly flights.
In order to be able to cope with growth, the airline will add a tenth Airbus A330 in the summer of 2024. This means that their long-haul fleet will be as large as before the pandemic. At that time, it had reduced its aircraft fleet by a quarter.
Beyond Nairobi, the winter season of 2024-25 will see more frequent flights to several West African destinations, including Dakar, Banjul, Monrovia, and Freetown.
Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines, acknowledges the pivotal role of this expansion, stating, “With Nairobi, daily flights to Kigali, and additional flights to West Africa, we have a stronger presence in Africa than ever before.” She emphasizes that this tenth long-haul aircraft exemplifies Lufthansa Group’s confidence in the airline and strengthens its position as the hub to Africa within the group.
The addition of the Airbus A330-300 from parent company Lufthansa signifies a seamless integration of resources within the group and heralds an exciting new phase for Brussels Airlines.
Expanding Capacity and Connectivity
This latest development underscores Lufthansa Group’s commitment to Kenya and its strategic intention to boost market growth. With the new flights to Nairobi, the Group will offer an impressive 18 weekly flights to Kenya, with 13 weekly flights to Nairobi (7 by Lufthansa and 6 by Brussels Airlines) and 5 weekly flights to Mombasa via DISCOVER Airlines.
During the European winter season starting in October 2024, the Lufthansa Group will operate 15 weekly flights to Kenya, further cementing its status as a major player in East African air travel.
In conjunction with these developments, Kigali is also set to benefit from increased connectivity, with flight frequencies increasing from 5 weekly to daily year-round flights starting in June 2024. This expansion reflects the growing importance of East Africa in global aviation and the commitment of Brussels Airlines and the Lufthansa Group to play a significant role in this vibrant region’s growth.
