London Gatwick Airport has officially launched a brand-new route connecting the UK with East Africa, as Kenya Airways begins a three-times-weekly direct service to Nairobi.
The inaugural flight departed on 3 July, marking the only non-stop link between Gatwick and the Kenyan capital. It’s the latest addition to Gatwick’s growing African network and follows the recent introduction of flights to Entebbe, Uganda, and existing services to Ethiopia.
The new Nairobi route strengthens Gatwick’s role as a key UK gateway for African trade, tourism and investment, now offering direct connections to 19 destinations across the continent. Passengers travelling via Nairobi will gain access to over 40 onward routes, including major cities such as Johannesburg, the scenic beaches of Seychelles and Zanzibar, and adventure destinations like Kilimanjaro.
Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer at London Gatwick, said:
“We are delighted to welcome this new service from Kenya Airways, providing a vital route to Nairobi and onward connectivity across the region.
Following the recent addition of flights between London Gatwick and Uganda, alongside the existing service to Ethiopia, the new Kenya Airways route further demonstrates our commitment to growing connectivity across the region.”
Allan Kilavuka, Group MD and CEO of Kenya Airways, added:
“This inaugural flight to London Gatwick is not just about adding a new destination; it’s about opening more doors for trade, tourism, education, and strengthening the vital connections between Kenya and the UK.”
UK Government Minister for Africa Lord Collins also welcomed the development:
“The launch of the new, first-of-its-kind direct flight between Kenya and London Gatwick is fantastic news — bringing a welcome boost to tourism, trade, and people-to-people connections between our two countries.”
✈ Flight Info:
- Airline: Kenya Airways
- Route: London Gatwick (LGW) – Nairobi (NBO)
- Frequency: Three times per week
This new connection further supports Gatwick’s long-term strategy to offer more long-haul routes to emerging markets, benefitting both UK businesses and travellers seeking new opportunities abroad.
