Kenya Airways (KQ) has penned a deal with fresh produce traders in Mombasa County that will see them directly export fish to various destinations. 

KQ started by flying fish to Sharjah International Airport (UAE) and will run one flight weekly and will consider increasing based on demand.

The deal between KQ, Mombasa County Government and fresh produce stakeholders will see traders access foreign markets faster.

“The average load of fresh seafood per flight is about 18.75 tonnes,” KQ said in a statement.

Read More

  1. Adani Group eyes expansion outside India with formation of entity in UAE
  2. Convention pushes for a greater role by engineers in Kenya's economic growth
  3. KRA dismisses claims of Sh64 billion tax loss as palm oil import probe deepens

This comes four months after fresh producers asked the national carrier to avail four cargo planes to help the, ferry their good abroad.

This was immediately KQ resumed international flights on August 1 after suspending them for months due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Allan Kilavuka. PHOTO/COURTESY

“KQ Cargo will work closely with fish and seafood farmers to maximise on the same-day perishables supply chain to cater for the consumers in the Middle East region,” said the airline’s CEO Allan Kilavuka.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho welcomed the agreement:

“During this time when the Covid-19 pandemic has devastated many businesses, air cargo is very important to support them back to normalcy.”