Kenya’s budget airline, Jambo Jet, has resumed flights to Lamu following a four year suspension over insecurity in the area and poor conditions of the Manda airport at the time.

The airline, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, will now fly the 78-capacity Dash 8-Q400 aircraft four times a week through Mombasa starting September 15.

A one way ticket from Lamu to Nairobi will cost Sh7,100 while from Mombasa to Lamu passengers will pay Sh4,600.

The airline suspended flights to Lamu in 2017, citing insecurity in the tourism archipelago and the bad shape of the Manda runway that made it difficult for its large aircraft to land and take-off.

Manda Airport, which is the largest in Lamu County, has gotten a facelift following rehabilitation works that kicked off early this year.

The upgrade involves civil works on the apron and the expansion of the runway from two kilometres to 2.4km.

Lamu now becomes the fourth coastal route for Jambojet, which operates flights on Mombasa, Malindi and Ukunda.

Jambo Jet Launches Direct Flights to Goma, Congo

Last week, Jambojet launched direct flights to Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as part of regional expansion efforts.

Jambojet will fly into Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, twice a week from its Nairobi hub, before increasing to four times a week with time.