MUMBAI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) is set to launch new flights between
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Mumbai and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), Nairobi, Kenya from November 25, 2024.
The Gurugram-based carrier will utilize the Vistara Airlines (UK) Airbus A321neo on BOM-NBO route, according to seat map listings. The configuration reveals a three-class layout with 12 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 152 economy seats.
Air India Mumbai to Nairobi Flight
The new route will operate three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, complementing Air India’s existing Delhi (DEL)-Nairobi service.
- Flight AI989 will depart Mumbai at 01:40 local time, arriving in Nairobi at 05:15 after covering a distance of 4531 KM (2815 Miles).
- The return flight, AI990, will leave Nairobi at 06:15, reaching Mumbai at 15:15.
Note: All times mentioned here is local timings.
It usually takes five hours and 30 minutes to complete this flight route and Air India is expected to do it under these timings.
Reservations for the Mumbai-Nairobi service is not yet available, indicating the airline may still be finalizing operational details. The information was briefly visible in Air India’s schedule listing but was removed early on October 8, 2024, Aeroroutes reported.
This new route operates alongside Air India’s thrice-weekly Delhi-Nairobi service, which utilizes Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft and takes Seven hours and 25 minutes to complete the journey.
The addition of the Mumbai-Nairobi flight strengthens Air India’s presence in East Africa and enhances connectivity between India and Kenya.
Competition on India-Kenya Routes
Unlike Delhi-Nairobi route, where Air India enjoys monopoly, Mumbai-Nairobi route has two carriers operating daily flights.
National carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ) operates two daily flights, KQ202/203 and KQ204/205. One is evening departure, and one is night departure. Both these flights are operated using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
While India’s largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo Airlines (6E) operates one daily flights between BOM and NBO. IndiGo deploys its Airbus A320neo to serve the route and often offers better fares compared to Kenya Airways.
Someday, Kenya Airways fares are almost 1.5 times that of prices offered by IndiGo Airlines. Also, you can get 40 percent less CO2 emissions with IndiGo flights compared to KQ.
Kenya Airways offers slightly better service than IndiGo Airlines. But Air India can offer full-service with Vistara planes.
Air India will charge double fares compared to IndiGo Airlines and 1.5x compared to Kenya Airways.
Also Read: Air India Adds More International Routes than Domestic
My Take
Personally, I think this is good move. Air India is testing the route capability with 3x weekly flights and might offer more flights after merging with Vistara Airlines.
Also, post-merger many routes where Air India and Vistara compete will possibly see reductions to improve load factors. The free-up aircraft will be deployed on underserved or unserved routes to strengthen its market share.
Air India Mumbai to Nairobi flight will help passengers to transfer to South India or Southeast Asia via AI’s strong network on a single ticket.
Further Air India which enjoys monopoly on some international routes from Delhi can face competition on new routes from Mumbai as IndiGo and Akasa Air (QP) is adding more and new destinations from the financial hub.
At last, to conclude, Air India flight will be a great option for travelers looking to experience premium service and later enjoying scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves in Kenya.
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