Following years of failed audits and months of delay after the last audit finally put Jomo Kenyatta International Airport into the pass section, news has emerged overnight that Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has at last been cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the coveted Category 1 status.
While it may take some time before actual direct flights will be launched, most likely by Kenya Airways and their SkyTeam alliance partner Delta, the legal foundation is now taken care of. Carriers wishing to offer direct or nonstop flights now have to get designation from their respective home countries and then apply for landing rights, in Kenya for Nairobi and possibly Mombasa, and in the United States at an airport of their choice.
Vähesed Aafrika lennujaamad vastavad USA nõudmistele sellisel tasemel, sealhulgas Addis Abeba, Johannesburg ja Casablanca, et nimetada peamisi lennunduskeskusi, ning Nairobi liitumine selle eksklusiivse klubiga aitab kahtlemata edendada turismi ja kaubandust.
Ameerika Ühendriigid tõusid juba eelmisel aastal Kenya suurimaks turistide allikaturuks, edestades Ühendkuningriiki, kust Mombasasse suunduvad tšarterlennud ei ole ikka veel jõudnud viimaste aastate tasemele.
Kuna see osutus murranguliseks uudiseks, ei ole turismihuvilistel praeguses etapis olnud aega reageerida.
