Kenya Airways (KQ) is scheduled to resume direct flights between Kenya and Angola from March 2025, following high-level talks between Presidents William Ruto and João Lourenço.

The two African presidents made the announcement on Wednesday during a meeting at the Angolan presidential palace in Luanda as they seek to boost economic and diplomatic ties.

The awaited return of KQ direct flights between Nairobi and Luanda is set to notably boost business ties between the two sides and greatly enhance trade and professional exchange.

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in August 2020, KQ suspended flights between Nairobi and eight African capitals including Luanda, Bamako (Mali), Mogadishu (Somalia), Brazzaville (Congo), Khartoum (Sudan), Djibouti, Blantyre (Malawi) and Maputo (Mozambique).

The Kenyan national carrier, at the time, attributed the flight suspension to its recovery strategy, which incorporated operating a reduced fleet as it waited for demand to pick up.

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Furthermore, Angola has also announced that it will work towards waiving visa requirements for Kenyans visiting the country to reciprocate Kenya’s gesture earlier.

“This move will enable our professionals like teachers to access Angola much more easily,” Ruto said.

He added: “Coupled with the reciprocal waiver of visa requirements for Kenyans, this will strengthen bilateral ties and expand opportunities for enhanced cooperation and mutual benefits.

In October 2023, President Ruto announced an immediate waiver of visa requirements for all Angolans in an effort to fortify investment and trade between Nairobi and Luanda.