Page 16 - World Airnews Magazine May Edition 2021

CHARTER

KENYA CHARTER FLIGHTS

BOOST TOURISM ARRIVALS

enya will rely on charter flights to

Kboost tourism numbers during the
challenging COVID-19 pandemic period, a

government official said recently.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary
Najib Balala said the charter flights Kenya

is receiving signals the growing confidence
in the country's tourism products and pre-
paredness against COVID-19.
"I thank the marketers and travel agents
who are working tirelessly to bring visitors

to Kenya. I assure you of the government's
support, we need to all work together to
revive the sector fully," Balala said in Mom-

basa after receiving the first-ever flight

from Ukraine to Kenya.
The flight operated by Bees Airline, a

Ukrainian charter operator and marketed
by Travel Professional Group (TPG), landed "I am glad to note the progress that we are severely affected by the global COVID-19

in Kenya carrying 189 visitors from Ukraine. making as a destination in attracting tourists pandemic.

Of the 189 passengers in the flight, 21 from different markets," Balala said. Balala said the Ukrainian market presents
were travel agents traveling for product Kenya last month received the first-ever an opportunity to push beach and wildlife

knowledge and to sample Kenyan tourism Romanian charter in Kenya carrying 200 vis- products that resonate well with the con-

products and offering in order to sell the itors. That flight had five rotations into the sumers from the country.

destination to consumers in their country. country with another one expected soon. The arrival numbers from Ukraine have

Balala said that the flight was testament "We must ensure that we explore all the been incremental over the last few years
to the advancements Kenya is making in available markets and tap into them. This with Kenya receiving 1,523 visitors in 2017
markets which are not deemed traditional is especially now more important with and 1,892 visitors in 2019.

source markets for Kenya's tourism. there being less travel across the globe," Currently, there is great opportunity to

He said that the destination's tourism Balala said. grow the numbers through charters espe-

products resonate well with the needs of He said the flight had come at an import- cially due to the challenging environment
consumers from the Eastern European ant time and provided hope for the recov- brought about by COVID-19 pandemic,

region. ery of the Kenya's tourism which had been Balala said. Q
UAV
UPS EXPLORES eVTOLs
Express Air delivery network. The pro- quickly than if the packages were being
gramme is been overseen by its Flight delivered via small fixed-wing planes

PS is buying 10 electric vertical Forward division, which is also exploring that require an airstrip.

Uaircraft as it a� empts to drone delivery. The aircraft have a 250-mile range
improve delivery times in small and UPS expects to begin receiving the and cruising speed of up to 170 miles

mid-size markets. planes in 2024. There's an option to buy per hour.

eVTOLs are a cross between a helicop- up to 150 aircraft. It is hoped that the aircraft will allow
ter and a fixed-wing airplane, meaning Financial terms of the deal were not UPS to plan a series of short routes, or

they can fly at higher speeds, as well as disclosed. one long route, on a single charge.

ascend and descend vertically. The beta aircraft have a 1,400-pound The planes can charge in an hour

The Atlanta delivery company said cargo capacity, so they'll be able to or less and produce zero operational

it will test the eVTOLs for use in its transport time-sensitive deliveries more emissions. Q
World Airnews | May 2021
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