Kenya Airways has confirmed that it will re-introduce direct flights between Nairobi and Cape Town within the next 12 months. The airline also plans to launch flights between Nairobi and Durban.

Durban and Cape Town were just two of the 60 new destinations the airline plans to launch by 2021 as part of ‘Project Mawingu’, its 10-year strategic plan. The airline first operated seasonal flights on this route in 2003.

Announcing its financial results for the year ending March 31, 2012, the airline indicated that passenger traffic growth had been achieved in all regions.

Southern Africa grew by 25,8%, mainly due to full-year operations of routes launched in the prior year. Traffic in northern Africa grew by 23,3%, due to increased frequencies to match demand in Juba. Mid-east growth of 16,4% was due to increased operations to Mumbai and the introduction of Jeddah. West Africa grew 13,7% due to the successful launch of Ndjamena and Ouagadougou and the Far East by 11,9% as a result of increased capacity on Bangkok/Guangzhou route. European growth was 9,1%, mainly driven by traffic increase out of London, Paris and full-year Rome operations. Central Africa registered a low growth of 4,4%, largely due to suspension of operations to Malabo and Kisangani during the year.  

The airline also spoke about its low-cost subsidiary, Jambo Jet, which is expected to launch towards the end of the year. It is planned to take over the airline’s short-haul domestic and regional flights within an hour or two of Nairobi.

In a statement, the airline said that, given the challenging economic and geopolitical environment witnessed throughout the year, Kenya Airways’ profit after tax in the year 2011/12 compared favourably against many industry players.   

“The board has taken cognisance of the anticipated capacity deployment in 2012, the traffic demand and the pressure on yields due to the sharp rise in fuel prices and growing competition. These factors require Kenya Airways to implement appropriate strategies to enhance growth and profitability. The main drivers of improved performance are passenger numbers, better yields and more stringent cost management. The airline will, therefore, continue opening new routes on a selective basis, investing in its fleet development, training staff and improving its systems and customer service.”