Kenya Airways (KQ) has significantly boosted its flight capacity to Kisumu this weekend. This is to accommodate the surge in travellers heading to the region for the final rites of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The national carrier has both increased the number of flights and upgraded aircraft on the popular Nairobi-Kisumu route.
ODM Leader Raila Odinga. FILE
Flights Upgraded to Boeing Aircraft
Kenya Airways announced that several flights are being upgraded to larger Boeing 737 aircraft. This crucial move will allow the airline to carry more passengers on each trip.
The change reflects the high travel demand generated by Mr Odinga’s state funeral and burial ceremony.
Flights like KQ654, departing at 8:05 AM, have been switched to a Boeing 737 on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Kenya Airways flight upgrades for Raila Odinga burial // FACEBOOK
Other flights, including KQ671 and KQ670, will also see upgrades to the larger aircraft over the weekend.
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The airline confirmed this commitment in a statement via its social media pages.
“We’ve increased our flight frequency to Kisumu over the weekend to accommodate the high travel demand.”
Extra Capacity Added
In addition to the aircraft upgrades, KQ introduced three extra flights on the Nairobi-Kisumu route between Friday and Monday.
For example, on Friday, two extra flights—KQ656 and KQ658—departed for Kisumu. A further extra flight, KQ650, was added early on Saturday morning at 6:50 AM.
Kenya Airways flight upgrades for Raila Odinga burial // FACEBOOK
This high demand has put a strain on availability. Airfares have also seen a sharp increase. A return ticket from Nairobi to Kisumu was reportedly going for about KSh 25,160.
The Final Journey of RAO001
Kenya Airways’ role in this national moment began earlier in the week. The airline was responsible for repatriating Mr Odinga’s body from India to Nairobi.
The flight carrying the remains was originally KQ203. However, upon entering Kenyan airspace, the call sign was symbolically changed.
It became ‘RAO001’ in a gesture of national respect for the long-serving leader. The late Prime Minister’s initials were used for the special designation.
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The journey attracted significant global attention. Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft was one of the most tracked flights in the world. Nearly 21,000 people were actively monitoring its progress in real-time.
Kenya Airways flight upgrades for Raila Odinga burial // FACEBOOK
“As the national airline, it was a solemn duty, carried out with utmost dignity and respect befitting a leader so deeply cherished.”
The airline acknowledged its honour to play a part in bringing “one of Kenya’s great sons home.” The solemn and dignified flight ensured the safe arrival of Mr Odinga’s remains at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday.
The surge in travel to Kisumu precedes the body viewing scheduled for Saturday at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium. The final burial is set for Sunday at Mr Odinga’s ancestral home in Siaya County.
by moses sagwe
