Kenya Insights

Tag: 748 Air Services

  • Fly 748: Smooth transition of power is a vote of confidence for airline sector’s post-pandemic recovery

    Fly 748: Smooth transition of power is a vote of confidence for airline sector’s post-pandemic recovery

    Peaceful elections and smooth transition of power in government will boost confidence inairline sector’s post-pandemic recovery, renowned airline Fly 748 has said today.

    The airline said these two factors will help travelers resume business and leisure activities faster to sustain an already strong momentum towards the sector’s return to full recovery recorded in 2019.

    “A relative calmness during the political campaign periods, peaceful voting process and a general positive sentiment from travelers and foreign investors in this year’s elections gives us confidence that economic activities will resume faster, giving a further boost to airline recovery prospects,” said Fly 748 Managing Director, Moses Mwangi.

    Latest, International Air Transport Association (IATA) data shows African airlines are recording strong demand for passenger traffic since lockdowns and border restrictionsbegun easing late last year.

    By June 2022, both domestic and international traffic remained strong with figures showing significant growthcompared to those of 2021.

     

    Africa’s International traffic rose with an increase of 103.6 percent over the year to June 2022, the recovery was around 35 percent below their 2019 levels. Similarly, total June 2022 domestic traffic across the globe was at 81.4 percent of the June 2019 level.

     

    “Without disruptions in government transition, we expect this positive momentum to continue and hopefully airlines returnto profitability as we head to high tourism season and as businesses begins rolling out long term activities,” said Fly 748 Chairman, Ahmed Jibril.

  • Fly 748 To Showcase Why It Remains Most Affordable For Domestic Flights At The Sarit Tourist Expi

    Fly 748 To Showcase Why It Remains Most Affordable For Domestic Flights At The Sarit Tourist Expi

    The growing demand for domestic flights has seen airlines double their travels with KCAA saying Western and Coastal regions commanding the biggest share. With huge demand, tickets prices have in recent weeks sored with some airlines going ad high ad Sh10,000 for a one way flight, this is like triple the amount of the amount paid 3 months ago.

    748 Air Services who joined the competitive market and grabbed it with their friendly prices has set up a booth at the ongoing Tourism Fair at the Sarit Expo Center, to cater to the rising number of travelers’ in need of affordable domestic flights.

    Since last year, the airline has been on an aggressive domestic routes expansion from flying to the Mara only, to now flying to Malindi, Ukunda, Mombasa and Kisumu to support business and leisure tourism.

    748 Air Services Managing Director, Moses Mwangi said with the curfew being lifted, Kenyans are now traveling more have a bigger opportunity to capitalize on affordable offers in the hospitality and aviation sector to explore our magical country.

    “The getaway tourism fair will provide Kenyans with various exciting offers for holiday destinations as the peak season is approaching. I would like to encourage everyone to take advantage of these offers in the aviation and hospitality sectors to explore this Magical country,” said Mr. Mwangi.

    The airline will use the forum to showcase its new domestic routes, most of them in the coastal tourism circuit offering travelers competitive airfares starting from KES 5,350 for a one way ticket.

    The pandemic did not only freeze the travels but also felt a big blow to the hospitality. With the new openings and the symbiotic relationship between domestic flights and hospitality, tourism which forms a big deal for national revenue is likely to experience a boost in income.

  • Fly 748 expands wings to Nairobi-Malindi route

    Fly 748 expands wings to Nairobi-Malindi route

    Renowned aviation company, 748 Air Services on Friday launched daily flights from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Malindi, adding more routes to Kenya’s coastal tourism circuit.

    The start of Malindi flights comes barely a month since the airline opened its Mombasa Offices to support recovery of hospitality sector that bore the biggest brunt of COVID-19 pandemic.

    748 Air Services Chairman, Ahmed Jibril said the newroute is to help more domestic travellers to experience the best of Malindi at very competitive rates.

    “We will also be contributing significantly to full recovery of hotel establishments in these areas by boosting their foot traffic,” said Mr. Jibril.

    The first flight will depart JKIA in Nairobi at 12:00p.m. for Malindi and leave the coastal city for the capital at 02:00 p.m.

    Passengers will enjoy a very competitive return ticket cost starting from as low as KEs 10,700 for the route using 748’s fast and versatile Dash 8-Q400 fleet with a capacity of 78 passengers.

    “From coral reefs that lie just 1,000 feet off its shore, lagoons, mangroves and the best hotels, you cannot fail to fall in love with this picturesque tourist destination at such competitive market rates,” said Mr. Jibril.

    “We are so much excited with the start of Malindi route as we continue shaping local flight experience for our clients with zero flight cancellations and delays to allow you plan well ahead and have much more time to enjoy the splendour of Malindi,” said 748 Air Services Managing Director, Moses Mwangi.

    Malindi now brings the airline’s domestic routes to five, having already operations to Mombasa, Kisumu, Ukunda and Maasai Mara.

    The airline started its aggressive expansion of its domestic scheduled flights in May, with two daily flights between Nairobi and Kisumu and later on started operations in Mombasa and Diani.

    Domestic flights has seen an increase in passenger traffic with Coastal and western routes experiencing high numbers of passengers and flights. A matter that is being viewed positively by tourist practitioners who’ve had to bare the brunt of the pandemic.

  • KQ Chairman, CEO risk contempt proceedings for defiance of eviction orders

    KQ Chairman, CEO risk contempt proceedings for defiance of eviction orders

    Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer, Allan Kilavuka and Board Chairman, Michael Joseph now risk facing contempt proceedings for defying court orders preventing the airline agents from causing disturbance and executing evictions orders against  renowned aviation company, 748 Air Services and African Express Airways.

    “Despite service of the orders KQ has refused to grant access to AFEX and the CEO and Chairman are likely to be cited for contempt of court orders if this continues,”says African Express lawyers.

    In a letter dated August 7th 2021, African Express Airways(AFEX) Managing Director, Captain Musa Bulhan has requested Kenya Airports Authority to provide it with new alternative access gate after Kenya Airways blocked them from accessing their offices.

    Captain Bulhan says their workforce have been unable to access AFEX facilities due to an ongoing legal tussle between Kenya Airways and 748 air services over a parcel of land owned by African Airlines International.

    “We are unable to access our premises on L.R. No.9042/584 because KQ has denied us access even after the court order was given,” said Captain Bulhan in the letter.

    On August 5th 2021, AFEX obtained a high court order directing KQ to allow AFEX use the KAA gate at the Airport North Road. AFEX argued that it was not party to the lower court matter filed by Kenya Airways against 748 Air services but the national carrier visited its premises on July 23rd 2021 with its agents to vandalize offices.

    “Pending the delivery of the said ruling, the defendant shall on a temporary basis restore the plaintiff forthwith into L.R. No. 9042/584 and shall ensure that their agents, contractors, employees and workmen vacate and remove themselves from the premises  immediately and unconditionally,” said Justice S. Okong’o in the order.

    The court ordered against any acts of disobedience and non-observance until it makes a ruling on the matter in September, 23rd, 2021. Failure to observe the orders, it said would attract penal consequences.

    “It is on this background that we are requesting JKIA to facilitate an independent gate to enable us access our premises on L.R. No. 9042/584,” said Captain Bulhan.

    African Express Airways has even pleaded with the airport’s authority to allow it pre-finance construction of the independent gate upon approval.

    In another offensive, Kenya Airways has repainted 748 Plaza in continued defiance of court orders.

    “KQ have repainted the building despite court orders issued against them,” said 748 Air Services Managing Director, Moses Mwangi.

    In July 26th, 2021, Chief Magistrate Court granted 748 Air services staying orders, preventing Kenya Airways and its agents from further executing eviction orders.

    This followed a legal suit filed by the airline against Kenya Airways for malicious damage of its property worth millions of shillings and harassment of employees.

    In July 23rd 2021, around 15 armed police and more than 50 men raided 748 plaza along Airport North Road in Embakasi broke the premises entrance glassdoor, broke other doors, removed and extremely damaged office furniture and fittings.

    In an affidavit dated July 26th, 2021, 748 Air Services Managing Director, Moses Mwangi said the raid had disrupted normal operations at the Embakasi office and left the airline with significant losses.

    Following the incident, 748 Air services personnel of over two hundred (200) employees were unable to access the same premises and could not be able to trace important documents, records and machinery.

  • Reprieve For 748 Air Services As Court Grants Staying Orders

    Reprieve For 748 Air Services As Court Grants Staying Orders

    Renowned aviation company, 748 Air Services has been granted staying orders by a Nairobi court, preventing Kenya Airways and its agents from further executing eviction orders.

    The airline on Monday filed a legal suit against Kenya Airways for malicious damage of its property worth millions of shillings and harassment of employees.

    “In the interim, a temporary injunction be and is hereby issued restraining the plaintiff by itself or servants and/or agents from interfering with the defendant/Applicants quiet enjoyment use and occupation of the suit property pending interpartes hearing of this application,” said Milimani Commercial Courts, Principal Magistrate, Ms. A.N. Makau.

    The court has also directed Commandant, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to ensure compliance of the orders.

    Airline’s offices.

    On Friday, July 23rd 2021, Around 15 armed police and more than 50 men raided 748 plaza along Airport North Road in Embakasi broke the premises entrance glassdoor, broke other doors, removed and extremely damaged office furniture and fittings.

    In an affidavit dated July 26th, 2021, 748 Air Services Managing Director, Moses Mwangi said the Friday afternoon raid has disrupted normal operations at the Embakasi office and left the airline with significant losses.

    “The actions of the plaintiff have caused and continue to cause great losses to our company, being an airline that has recently launched domestic flights to Kisumu,Mombasa and Diani,” said Mr. Mwangi.

    The airlines personnel of over two hundred (200) employees are still unable to access the same premises and are not able to trace important documents, records and machinery after the incident.

    “We have always enjoyed peaceful and quiet occupation of the premises since the inception of our lease agreement on 1st February, 2021 until the plaintiff and its agents raided our offices on 23rd July 2021,” said Mwangi.

    748 Air Services has been paying rent for the 748 Plaza premised on the parcel of land no. LR. No.9042/583 toAfrican Airlines International limited (formerly African Express Airways International Limited).

    The airline was in the process of completing renovations on suit premise before the raid, with renovation costs amounting to the tune of Ksh. 90 Million.

    By the time the raid begun, 748 Air Services had not been served an order to vacate the premises and had only learnt of an order served on the premises landlord, Captain Musa Hassan Bulhan, Managing Director, Africa Express Airways (k) Limited and African International Airlines Limited at 4.00 p.m before Kenya Airways agents removed his office items.

    In a certificate of urgency filed by the company on Monday through its lawyers, 748 Air Services is seeking to be heard on priority basis, because the orders issued on 16th of July 2021 continue to have far reaching adverse impacts.

    748 Air Services, has however issued a surety to its clients that all flights including recently launched domestic flights to Kisumu, Mombasa and Diani and cargo services will continue undisrupted.

    “We encourage our customers to continue booking their flights through our new Office in the city center (Laico) and other digital avenues,” said Mr. Mwangi.

  • 748 Air Services Reports 80pc Booking Ahead Of The WRC Safari Rally 2021 Set For This Weekend

    748 Air Services Reports 80pc Booking Ahead Of The WRC Safari Rally 2021 Set For This Weekend

    Renowned aviation company, 748 Air Services has today reported an 80 per cent booking on its passenger flights ahead of the mega return of World Racing Championship (WRC) Safari Rally in Kenya this Weekend.

    748 Air Service Managing Director, Moses Mwangi saidthe high passenger traffic is not only attributed to the peak season but also the competitive air fares that 748 Air Services is offering and the anticipated World Racing Championship (WRC) Safari Rally expected to take place from the 24th to the 27th June 2021,in Naivasha.

    “We have seen an amazing increase in our flight bookings in all the routes in just one month since our launch in Kisumu, Mombasa and Diani. We are projecting that the flight bookings will continue to increase and we will be able to hit and retain more than 80 per cent,” said Mr. Mwangi.

    Fly 748 has been recording increased passenger bookings over the weekends. A strong indicator of the rising interest in weekend leisure travel among domestic tourists.

    “Our goal is to enable all Kenyans to be able to fly at very affordable market rates. This is a competitive edge that we are utilizing to sustain high bookings,” said Ahmed Jibril, 748 Air Services Chairman.

    Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that Kenya is adequately prepared to welcome back the WRC Safari Rally slated for this weekend after 19 years.

    “The preparations have been intense and I want to thank all agencies, our private sector, and rally enthusiasts who have given time and effort to ensure that this event takes place,” Said President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement to newsrooms.

    The Safari Rally is projected to inject Sh. 6 Billion into the country’s economy. The WRC returns to Africa for the first time since 2002. The event which is not only going to pool enthusiasts locally, has already seen international guests streaming in the country in what is definitely going to boost the hospitality industry that has been dented by the pandemic.

  • 748 Air Services‘ Nairobi-Kisumu Flights To Continue Uninterrupted

    748 Air Services‘ Nairobi-Kisumu Flights To Continue Uninterrupted

    Renowned aviation company, 748 Air Services has today said its daily flights from Nairobi to Kisumu will continue as scheduled.

    748 Air Service Managing Director, Moses Mwangi said new containment measures put by the government to manage a spike in COVID-19 infection rates within the country’s Lake Basin region will not affect the airline’s operations.

    “Following the latest government review on COVID-19 containment measures in 13 counties within the Lake Basin region following a spike in the infection rate in the area, We would like to notify you that the lock down does not affect our Daily Flights to Kisumu,” said Mr. Mwangi.

    Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said on Thursday, the dusk-to-dawn curfew shall begin at 7pm and end at 4am in the counties of Busia, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Kericho, Bomet, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa-Bay and Migori effective Friday, June 18, 2021 until further notice.

    748 Air Services aircraft.

    The CS said the 13 counties have been declared a COVID-19 hotspot zone after registering a positivity rate of 21 per cent against a national average of 9 per cent over the last 14 days.

    “We will continue to operate as scheduled whilst adhering to COVID-19 containment measures on board all our flights. No meals or water will be served during the containment period,” said 748 Air Services Chairman, Mr. Ahmed Jibril.

    Air travel continue to offer safest travel during the pandemic according to health expert given the strict guidelines adherence. 748 Air Services, a new entrant in the western route has been getting positive reviews as they battle it out with other players like Jambojet, Safarilink in the route.