Turkish Airlines resumes direct flights to Mombasa after 5 year break

Turkish Airlines plane lands at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa/HANDOUT

The Turkish Airlines has announced the resumption of direct flights to Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa, after a five-year break.

The resumption began on Sunday, October 26.

“Jambo Mombasa! Starting 26 October, this stunning coastal city is just a flight away! We’re back—ready to reconnect you with Mombasa’s palm-lined shores, vibrant coral reefs, and rich culture,” the Türkiye national carrier said.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said the maiden flight landed in Mombasa on Monday morning. 

Turkish Airlines will operate three weekly flights, with 8 tons of belly cargo capacity, boosting coastal trade and exports.

Dignitaries at the welcome event included Subutay Yüksel, Ambassador of Turkey, Caleb Kositany, KAA Chairman and top KAA and Turkish Airlines officials, as well as the traditional water cannon salute.

“Turkish Airlines officially resumes flights to Moi Intl. Airport, Mombasa after a 5-year break! The Boeing 737 landed at 0420 hours and was welcomed with a water cannon salute—a proud moment for renewed Mombasa-Istanbul air connectivity,” the Authority said.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir had in June announced the resumption of the Turkish Airlines direct flights from Istanbul to Mombasa.

This followed a meeting between the governor and the Turkish Airlines general manager, Oguzcan Yerli. The two met in Mombasa.

“I am pleased to confirm that these flights will resume on October 26 major win for our tourism and logistics sectors,” Governor Nassir said.

He said Mombasa is open to the world, and as its leadership, they remain committed to building global connectivity that brings opportunities closer to the people.

Turkish Airlines is the flag carrier of Turkey. As of June 2024, it operates scheduled services to 352 destinations (including cargo) in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Americas.

The airline serves more destinations nonstop from a single airport than any other airline in the world and flies to 131 countries.

With an operational fleet of 24 cargo aircraft, the airline's cargo division, Turkish Cargo, serves 82 destinations.

The airline's main base is Istanbul Airport in Arnavutköy. It has been a member of the Star Alliance network since 1 April 2008.

Turkish Airlines was established on 20 May 1933 as Turkish State Airlines (Turkish: Devlet Hava Yolları) as a department of the Ministry of National Defense.

The airline's initial fleet consisted of two five-seat Curtiss Kingbirds, two four-seat Junkers F 13s and one ten-seat Tupolev ANT-9.

In 1935, the airline was turned over to the Ministry of Public Works and was subsequently renamed the General Directorate of State Airlines.

Three years later, in 1938, it became part of the Ministry of Transportation.

The flight time from Istanbul Airport, Turkiye to Moi International, Kenya is 7 hours and 15 minutes. The distance is 3221 miles.

The airline's corporate headquarters are on the grounds of Atatürk Airport in Yeşilköy, Bakırköy, Istanbul.

Several other airlines, including Qatar Airways are expected to launch direct flights to Mombasa in the winter in a partnership with Kenya Airways.