A Skyward Airlines plane/ HANDOUTKenyan airline Skyward Airlines has expanded its domestic network into North Eastern Kenya with the launch of direct scheduled flights between Nairobi and Garissa, in a move expected to boost trade, business and investment in the region.
The new route will provide a faster link between the capital and Garissa, reducing travel time for businesspeople, traders, government officials, tourists and residents while improving access to the wider national market.
The flights will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing from Nairobi's Wilson Airport at 11am and arriving in Garissa at 11:50am.
Fares start from Sh9,000, giving travellers an alternative to the longer road journey between the two destinations.
Skyward Airlines chief executive Diana Nyambura said the new route was part of the airline's efforts to address connectivity gaps and support economic activity across the country.
“The launch of our Garissa route is a significant milestone in our commitment to connecting every corner of Kenya. As North Eastern Kenya continues to grow in commerce, trade and development, this route will open up faster, more convenient travel for our people while strengthening the region's ties to Nairobi and beyond,” she said.
The airline said the service would also facilitate the movement of goods and time-sensitive cargo between Nairobi and Garissa, potentially improving market access for businesses operating in the region.
Garissa is an important commercial and administrative centre in North Eastern Kenya, serving as a gateway to a large hinterland.
Improved air connectivity is expected to make it easier for businesses to connect with suppliers, customers and service providers in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
For traders, the shorter journey could be particularly important for the movement of high-value or time-sensitive goods, while businesses in Garissa could gain easier access to Nairobi's financial, logistics and commercial ecosystem.
The new service also creates opportunities for investors and professionals who require frequent movement between Nairobi and the county.
Skyward said passengers travelling through Wilson Airport will also be able to connect to its wider domestic and regional network, including Mombasa, Eldoret, Lodwar, Lamu, Malindi, Ukunda/Diani, Kisumu, Migori, Kitale and Dar es Salaam.
The expansion further strengthens Wilson Airport's role as a domestic aviation hub, linking Nairobi with emerging commercial centres that have traditionally depended heavily on road transport.
For North Eastern Kenya, better air connectivity could also support tourism, humanitarian operations and government services by providing a more predictable alternative to long-distance road travel.
The airline's expansion comes as Kenya's aviation industry seeks to deepen domestic connectivity and increase the contribution of air transport to economic activity.
Improved links between regional centres and Nairobi can help businesses reduce travel time and improve the movement of people and goods.
Skyward Airlines said the Garissa service forms part of its continued investment in a connected national network designed to support regional development and economic growth.
The Kenyan carrier operates scheduled passenger and charter services across domestic and regional destinations and says its network expansion is focused on providing safe, reliable and customer-focused air transport.
The Garissa route therefore gives the county a direct connection to Nairobi, while positioning air transport as another channel through which businesses in North Eastern Kenya can access national and regional markets.
Garissa Airport has officially reopened after a Sh710 million modernisation, funded jointly by the national government (Sh600 million) and Garissa county (Sh110 million).
The year-long project has upgraded the facility from a basic airstrip into a fully operational commercial airport.
