More Kenyan families are turning to air travel for school holiday trips to the Coast as competitive fares and shorter travel times make flying a more accessible option for domestic travellers.
Airline Fly748.com says it has recorded increased bookings on its Nairobi-Mombasa and Nairobi-Ukunda/Diani routes during the August school holiday period, with families increasingly choosing to fly instead of travelling by road.
The airline attributed the rise in demand to more competitive air fares, shorter travel times and growing interest in domestic tourism.
According to the airline, the trend reflects a shift in how Kenyan families approach holiday travel, with flying no longer viewed exclusively as a luxury for high-income travellers.
Why more families are choosing to fly to the Coast
Fly748.com said the combination of affordable fares and convenience is making air travel an increasingly practical option for families travelling during school holidays.
To encourage travel at the beginning of the August holiday season, the airline introduced a limited 10 per cent discount on one-way fares during the week schools closed.
The offer targeted families, students and leisure travellers seeking to reduce the cost of travelling during one of the busiest periods of the year.
Fly748.com Head of Scheduled Services George Oduor said the changing cost of air travel has made it possible for more Kenyans to consider flying for domestic holidays.
“We are seeing more Kenyan families choosing to fly during the school holidays because air travel has become more accessible. What was once considered a luxury is increasingly becoming a practical option for family travel,” Oduor said.
He said flying also allows travellers to spend less time on the road and more time at their holiday destinations.
For families travelling from Nairobi to the Coast, air travel can significantly reduce the time spent on the journey compared with road transport, particularly during periods when highways experience heavy traffic.
Mombasa and Diani attract holiday travellers
Mombasa and Ukunda/Diani remain among the popular coastal destinations for domestic holidaymakers, offering travellers access to beaches, hotels, restaurants and other tourism attractions.
Fly748.com said operating flights to both destinations gives passengers more flexibility when choosing where to spend their holidays.
“By connecting Nairobi with both Mombasa and Ukunda/Diani, we are giving travellers greater choice in how they access the Coast. Our aim is to remove cost and convenience barriers so that more Kenyans can explore their own country,” Oduor said.
The airline’s increased bookings come as families take advantage of the August school break to travel with children.
The school holiday period is traditionally one of the busiest times for domestic tourism, with hotels, restaurants, tour operators and transport businesses recording increased activity in coastal destinations.
How cheaper flights could benefit coastal businesses
The increase in air travel could also provide a boost to businesses that depend on domestic tourists.
Fly748.com said additional travellers contribute to a wider tourism ecosystem that includes hotels, restaurants, tour companies, transport providers and small businesses selling goods and services to visitors.
“Every additional passenger travelling to the Coast contributes to livelihoods across the tourism value chain. Affordable and dependable air connectivity therefore benefits not only the traveller, but also the communities and businesses serving these destinations,” Oduor said.
The airline said increased connectivity could also encourage more Kenyans to explore destinations within the country rather than travelling abroad during school holidays.
Domestic tourism remains an important source of income for coastal communities, particularly those whose livelihoods depend directly or indirectly on visitors.
Why travellers are being urged to book early
With school holidays attracting large numbers of travellers, airlines expect demand for seats to remain high during peak travel periods.
Fly748.com has advised customers planning to travel to the Coast to make their bookings early in order to secure seats and access the best available fares.
“School holidays are among the busiest travel periods of the year. We encourage customers to plan ahead, and we remain committed to providing safe, reliable and convenient flights that make domestic travel accessible to more Kenyans,” Oduor said.
Fly748.com operates scheduled passenger services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Terminal 2 to Mombasa and Ukunda/Diani.
The airline says its services are focused on providing travellers with convenient and reliable connections to Kenya’s coastal destinations, as demand for domestic holidays continues to grow.
