UPDATE - Kenya to hold direct flights to US

ADDS TIME FRAME

By Magdalene Mukami

Nairobi (AA) – Kenya on Thursday was given the go-ahead by the Donald Trump administration to operate direct flights to the U.S.

The East African country had pursued the opportunity for a number of years but failing international safety tests hurt their case with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The permit comes after Kenya achieved the passing score from the International Civil Aviation Organization this year, but authorities have not made public an agreed time frame for the flights.

Kenya’s Transport Minister James Macharia said in capital Nairobi that direct flights will aid the country in boosting trade ties and tourism with the U.S.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the development is a major milestone in the growth and development of civil aviation in Kenya, East Africa and the rest of Africa.

The KCAA noted that previously all airlines from Kenya had traveled through a third country before they could access U.S. airspace.

“With category 1 there will be a faster movement of goods and people between the two countries with an eradication of any delay especially to horticultural produce from Kenya,” the KCAA said.