Safarilink, a local airline based in Kenya, has announced that it will suspend flights between Nairobi and Kitale due to unfavorable business conditions. The carrier had recently resumed flights on the route, but high fuel costs and inadequate airport facilities have led to cancellations and a decline in business.

According to the CEO of Safarilink, Alex Avedi, the airline’s last flight on this route will take place on June 8, 2023. Safarilink mainly caters to tourist destinations and has been operating five flights a week using Dash 8-100/200 aircraft. The suspension of the route is expected to have an impact on the tourism industry in the region, as it was a key link between Nairobi and Kitale.

Safarilink has stated that it will reimburse customers who had booked tickets for flights from June 9 onwards. The airline had started operations on this route in 2016, but in 2020, it had to suspend flights temporarily due to renovations at the airport. This latest suspension highlights the impact of the difficult business environment in the aviation industry.