Budget carrier, Jambojet, has expanded its fleet with a new aircraft as it intensifies efforts to meet growing domestic demand for affordable air travel.
The newly acquired De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400, commonly referred to as Q400, brings Jambojet’s total fleet to nine.
“This marks the arrival of our ninth aircraft, and we are committed to continued growth through the Dash series. This new addition enables us to increase frequencies on the Kisumu–Nairobi and Kisumu–Mombasa routes from five daily flights to six or seven,” said Mr Karanja Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer of Jambojet.
Manufacturer specifications show that the Dash 8-400 can seat up to 90 passengers and can also serve as a freighter, firefighting aircraft, missionised aircraft.
The aircraft can operate in challenging conditions including on unpaved runways, and in remote locations where airport infrastructure may be lacking.
However, despite the expansion in capacity, Jambojet has expressed concern over the state of aviation infrastructure in parts of the country, particularly in the western region.
These limitations, they say, hinder the airline’s ability to expand its services to other promising destinations.
“We are eager to operate from additional airstrips such as Kabunde in Homa Bay and Kakamega, but current infrastructure does not support the aircraft type we operate. High-altitude locations demand longer runways, yet Kabunde offers only 1,200 metres and Kakamega approximately 1,300 metres, while we require at least 2,000,” Mr Ndegwa explained.
Plans are underway to extend Kabunde Airstrip to 1,700 metres and to construct a larger terminal at a projected cost of Sh170 million. In contrast, at sea-level locations such as Diani, a 1,400-metre runway suffices, demonstrating the regional disparity in aviation infrastructure needs.
Mr Ndegwa further noted that Jambojet is exploring other viable options within the region to facilitate broader connectivity. One such initiative involves evaluating the potential to link Kisumu Airport with destinations across the East African region.
“This remains a work in progress. Our strategy team is actively assessing feasibility, though the preliminary numbers suggest the volumes may not yet justify commercial viability,” he said.
Jambojet currently holds a 53 percent share of Kenya’s domestic air travel market, operating 11 routes across the country.
Cynthia Otoro, the airline’s Commercial Director, said that over 1.5 million passengers travel between Nairobi and Kisumu annually, with approximately 100,000 flying between Mombasa and Kisumu.
Jambojet is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenya Airways, continuing to play a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity and redefining affordable air travel in East Africa.
