South Africa Airways re-opens Kenyan office

South Africa Airways on Wednesday celebrated the grand reopening of its Kenyan office after a two and half-year absence.

The airways had a base in Kenya but closed shop due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event took place at Yaya Centre, Nairobi.

President William Ruto's children; George Ruto and Charlene Ruto graced the function.

George Ruto at the event in the photo below;

They attended in their capacity as the director of Weston Hotel and a representative for Kenya Airways respectively.

Other dignitaries in attendance were the High Commissioner of South Africa, H.E MJ Mahlangu, former Mombasa Senator Omar Hassan, the Chairman of Skyward, Captain Mohamed Abdi and Mr Austin Nyawara, the SAA regional manager for East Africa and the Middle East.

Stakeholders present explained how they are going to partner with SAA which seeks to bounce back to life in the region.

Nyawara expressed SAA commitment to working with like-minded partners  in the region.

He said they had signed an agreement with Skyward that will see them manage  the commercial activities of the commercial airline in Kenya.

"SAA underwent a business restructuring where it employed the GSA as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Kenya," Nyawara explained.

"You can see our beautiful uniform and our very beautiful staff who are here to serve you."

Nyawara added that the airline would be working closely with African partner Kenya Airways saying that it would have remarkable benefits for the traveller.

"That one would be able to travel on one ticket using both airlines at a minimal cost to you and with a lot of conveniences," he said.

"You get to experience the warm African hospitality of both Kenya Airways and South Africa Airways on one ticket."

Charlene Ruto commended the two national airlines for the great partnership.

High Commissioner of South Africa, H.E MJ Mahlangu, who was the guest of honour praised Kenya's recent peaceful elections saying it is the greatest elections the country has ever had.

He said the partnership South Africa Airways has with both Kenya Airways and Skyward is great for the continent.

"Better travel, quicker travel, safer travel, builds your economy and takes you to the destination you want to go to," he noted.

The high commissioner added that South Africa had specifically chosen Kenya among other African nations because of its political stability and peace.

He also praised the diplomatic relations between the countries as something that would make the partnership work.

Skyward Express on its part said that it intended to use its expansive network within Kenya and beyond to effectively represent SAA's commercial interests in the East African nation.

"We at Skyward will ensure that SAA regains its place in the hearts and minds of our esteemed traveling public," it said through a statement.