Kenya Airways Launches Direct Flights Between Nairobi and London Gatwick
Kenya Airways (KQ) has officially launched a new direct flight route connecting Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with London Gatwick Airport. The inaugural flight took off on July 2, 2025, marking a significant expansion of the airline’s UK footprint and further strengthening ties between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
This move brings the total number of KQ flights to the UK to ten per week, complementing the existing services to London Heathrow.
The new route will operate three times a week, with flights departing Nairobi every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday night at approximately 11:45 p.m. and arriving at London Gatwick around 6:55 a.m. local time. Return flights from Gatwick will operate every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday morning. The service is operated using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, offering a two-class configuration with enhanced comfort and efficiency over the 9-hour journey.
According to KQ Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka, the Gatwick route is a strategic addition designed to offer travelers more options and better access to southern England. He noted that the expansion is part of the airline’s broader plan to enhance global connectivity, support trade and tourism, and provide convenient travel solutions for Kenyans in the diaspora.
“Gatwick provides an excellent alternative gateway for our passengers in the South and South East of England,” Kilavuka said. “It also allows greater flexibility and competitive pricing options for business and leisure travelers alike.”
The decision to expand into Gatwick comes at a time when competition in the UK–East Africa aviation market is intensifying. British Airways has recently increased its Nairobi services, while Uganda Airlines has also entered the UK market through London Gatwick. Kenya Airways’ move aims to secure a competitive edge by tapping into new passenger segments and enhancing its appeal to UK-based travelers heading to various destinations across Africa.
Through Nairobi, passengers from Gatwick can connect seamlessly to over 40 destinations within Africa, including popular routes to Johannesburg, Lusaka, Kigali, Zanzibar, and Kilimanjaro. This network integration strengthens Nairobi’s status as a regional aviation hub.
Additionally, the new route is expected to stimulate tourism, increase business travel, and serve the large Kenyan diaspora living in the UK. Fares on the new route are competitively priced, starting at KSh 49,335 for economy class, with options for flexible and business-class bookings.
As Kenya Airways continues to recover from post-pandemic losses and seeks to regain profitability, the Gatwick launch represents a calculated investment in long-haul travel growth. It also underscores the airline’s commitment to offering global connectivity while supporting Kenya’s broader economic interests in trade, tourism, and international relations.
The Nairobi–Gatwick route is now open for bookings through the Kenya Airways website, mobile app, and accredited travel agents.
