Jubba Airways Plans Direct Nairobi-Khartoum Flights to Revive Kenya-Sudan Air Link
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, Kenya, October 19, 2026 — Jubba Airways is targeting December 2026 to launch direct flights between Nairobi and Khartoum, Sudan, in a move aimed at cutting travel time and improving air connectivity between the two countries.
The proposed service was discussed during a meeting at the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Nairobi on Monday, October 19, attended by Sudanese Ambassador to Kenya Kamal Gubara Mohamed, airline representatives and members of the travel agency sector.
Captain Sajjad Nasser, the airline’s director of business development and rescue coordination, said Jubba Airlines is working towards launching the route in the first week of December, although the exact date and flight schedule were yet to be confirmed.
The service is expected to operate twice a week, connecting Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi directly to Khartoum International Airport. According to Nasser, the proposed route would restore a direct air link.
The proposed direct flight is expected to take approximately three and a half hours each way, giving passengers a more convenient option for business trips, family visits and other travel between Kenya and Sudan.
To support the planned service, Jubba Airlines intends to deploy a Fokker aircraft configured with six business-class seats and 70 economy-class seats. The airline is also planning same-day return operations, although the final operating days and schedule remain subject to confirmation.
Ticket prices and safety arrangements
On fares, Nasser said the airline had not yet settled on official ticket prices. However, he gave preliminary estimates of about $1,500 for business class and $900 for economy class.
“We haven’t decided on the prices yet, but we’ll make that official very soon,” he said, emphasising that the figures were indicative and should not be treated as confirmed fares.
The airline is expected to announce the final prices through its general sales agent, which handles ticket sales. Travellers will need to await the official announcement for confirmed fares and booking arrangements.
Meanwhile, safety remains a key consideration as the airline prepares to resume direct operations. Nasser said Jubba Airlines was engaging the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi on arrangements for the proposed route, including the assessment of operating conditions.
“Passenger safety is number one,” he said, adding that he had been in contact with Ambassador Gubara Mohamed, who was also engaging counterparts in Sudan.
Nasser said information from pilots and other aviation contacts had informed the airline’s assessment of conditions in Khartoum and Port Sudan. Nevertheless, the proposed launch remains dependent on the completion of the necessary safety and operational arrangements.
Direct flights expected to support trade and tourism
Beyond reducing travel time, the proposed connection is expected to make movement between Kenya and Sudan easier for businesspeople, families and tourists.
Nasser said direct flights could help strengthen commercial links and facilitate visits between the two countries. He also highlighted attractions such as the Red Sea and the River Nile, saying improved air connectivity could support tourism as conditions permit.
The airline also hopes its operations will create employment opportunities for Kenyans and Sudanese nationals. According to Nasser, the planned aircraft would require two pilots, an engineer and three or four cabin crew members, with recruitment guided by operational requirements.
He further called for improved air connectivity across Africa, arguing that limited direct routes make travel between countries more expensive and time-consuming. More direct services, he said, could make it easier for people to travel within the continent for business, employment and leisure.
Nasser said Jubba Airlines had operated in Kenya under the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), adding that the airline had experience serving destinations including Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
The meeting with Ambassador Gubara Mohamed and travel agency representatives provided an opportunity to discuss the proposed service and the arrangements needed before its launch.
Although Jubba Airways is targeting the first week of December, the airline has yet to confirm the exact launch date, operating days and official fares. The proposed Nairobi-Khartoum service is expected to proceed once the outstanding arrangements have been finalised.
