KILIFI, Kenya — Kenya’s tourism sector is poised for a major boost following the government’s decision to streamline the licensing process for new airlines, paving the way for more carriers to operate in the country’s skies and bring in more visitors.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano announced that several new airlines have recently been granted licenses to fly to Kenya, with additional applications under review.
Speaking during the official opening of the Fourth Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism Conference and Exhibition at Ocean Beach Resort and Spa in Malindi, Miano said the move is part of the government’s wider effort to enhance air connectivity and strengthen the tourism sector.
“Over the last couple of months, new airlines have been licensed. Turkish Airlines has received a new frequency into Mombasa, and we have also welcomed Fly Dubai,” Miano said. “We now have direct connections between Angola, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia, as well as increased frequencies from Emirates and British Airways. A lot of work is being done, and we have streamlined our licensing policies to make it easier for visitors to access Kenya.”
The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting infrastructure expansion, revealing that discussions are ongoing between the national government and stakeholders in Kilifi County to complete the expansion of Malindi International Airport. The upgrade will allow larger aircraft to land, significantly increasing the flow of tourists to the region.
Miano lauded the Uganda–Kenya Coast Tourism Conference — themed “Leveraging Youth, Innovation, and Technology for Responsive and Inclusive Tourism” — as an important platform for regional collaboration. She emphasized that Kenya views Uganda not as a competitor but as a strategic partner in promoting joint tourism circuits across East Africa.
“We are looking at Uganda not as competitors but collaborators. Through integration and joint marketing, we can create travel packages that include both Uganda and Kenya,” she said. “We also plan to partner with youth to leverage social media for marketing, which has become a powerful tool globally.”
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, who hosted the event, echoed Miano’s sentiments, noting that coastal governors have been working closely with Uganda to strengthen regional tourism links. He emphasized the importance of airport expansion for Kilifi’s tourism growth.
“The skies have been opened, but we will truly feel it when tourists can land directly from their destinations in Malindi,” Mung’aro said. “That is when Kilifi will fully enjoy the benefits of the open skies policy.”
The governor added that his administration has rolled out a digital marketing program that engages youth in promoting local tourism products, tapping into the growing influence of online platforms.
Ambassador Paul Mukumbya, Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, said the collaboration between the two countries seeks to promote complementarity rather than competition.
“Our goal is to enable tourists to plan itineraries that include both destinations — the Kenyan Coast for its beaches and the Big Five, and Uganda for its gorillas, chimpanzees, and water sports along the River Nile,” he said.
The renewed partnership between Kenya and Uganda, coupled with improved air connectivity and digital innovation, is expected to unlock new tourism opportunities across the region and position East Africa as a premier global destination.
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