Kenya Airways and Safarilink Partner to Enhance Safari Connectivity
Codeshare deal introduces 9 destinations with streamlined travel for safari enthusiasts
Kenya Airways (KQ) has partnered with Safarilink Aviation to offer travellers access to 9 new safari destinations, including airstrips in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Nanyuki, and Samburu in Kenya.
The one-way codeshare agreement, launched on April 25, 2025, aims to simplify travel with a single-ticket solution combining international and domestic connections, according to a joint statement by the companies.
Two daily flights operated by Safarilink Aviation will link Kenya Airways’ international routes with remote safari locations, eliminating the need for separate bookings and providing a convenient travel experience for tourists seeking Kenya’s renowned wildlife encounters.
Simplified Access to Kenya’s Safari Airstrips, Empowering Local Communities
Kenya Airways’ Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, described the codeshare partnership as “smart innovation” that bridges the airline’s international reach with Safarilink Aviation’s expertise in last-mile connectivity to key safari locations.
He further highlighted its operational benefits, stating, “Together, we are optimising aircraft use, reducing ground delays, and offering our guests more flexibility and smoother journeys.”
While addressing the importance of enhanced access, Kilavuka added that empowering local communities and supporting conservation efforts are vital outcomes of improved connectivity, noting that “tourism is the heartbeat of Kenya.”
High Demand for Safari Travel
Kenya Airways (KQ) outlined that, with leisure tourism accounting for 44.2% of arrivals in 2024, this partnership addresses the rising demand for safari experiences in Kenya.
Safarilink CEO Alex Avedi emphasised the operational efficiency of its Cessna Caravans and Dash-8 fleet, describing them as “perfectly suited to provide quick and efficient access to remote airstrips, ensuring visitors maximise their time exploring the wonders of the Kenyan wilderness.”
Strategic Growth for Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways described the collaboration as a key step in its broader growth strategy to attract more travellers by improving accessibility and convenience.
Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways’ Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, noted that the single-ticket system addresses travellers’ need for reliable and efficient solutions.