The Kenya Airways has been granted a special license by the American government to begin direct flights to the US for both cargo and passenger flights.

The national carrier obtained the approval of traffic rights by the USA department of transport to fly to the USA.

According to cabinet secretary ministry of transport, James Macharia,  what remains before KQ can begin the direct flights to the US is to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) complete a security audit by the USA Transportation Security Administration as a “Last point of departure”, which is expected by early November 2017.

“Thereafter KQ will obtain an air operating certificate from the USA federal aviation, which is expected in early 2018,” the CS said in a statement.

JKIA ATTAINS CATEGORY 1 STATUS

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) upgraded JKIA to the much-coveted Category 1 status early this year, paving way for Kenya Airways to have direct flights to the USA.

FAA gave the nod after a series of audit that brought to an end Kenya’s long search for the JKIA to be granted the category 1 status.

BENEFITS OF KQ DIRECT FIGHTS TO USA

Having direct flights to the US will boost Kenya’s tourism and enhance value and growth of exports to the USA. It will also accelerate foreign direct investment as well as enhance the global image of the country.