Franchise boost for Kenya

British Airways has signed a new franchise deal with Regional Air, the jet operation of Airkenya Aviation, making Regional Air the airline’s 11th franchise carrier.

From July 1, 2001, Regional Air services will operate with a British Airways flight code in British Airways’ colours with a British Airways style service. Services will operate from Nairobi to Asmara (Eritrea), Djibouti (Djibouti), Harare (Zimbabwe), Khartoum (Sudan), Lusaka (Zambia), and Mombasa (Kenya).

The franchise agreement, the first of its kind in Kenya, will provide better choice for British Airways customers wishing to travel across East, Central and Southern Africa. In addition it will increase access to services to and from London and develop further British Airways’ regional presence in Africa.

Michael Jackson, Head of Alliances and Franchises for British Airways said: “We welcome Regional Air to the British Airways family as the 11th franchise and look forward to continuing our relationship with the airline. Franchising has worked very well for British Airways and its franchisee airlines. The new deal will allow us to grow our already extensive African network and builds on the success of the franchise agreements in Southern Africa.”

Charles Goodrich, Regional Air’s Chief Executive Officer, added: “This is great news for customers wishing to travel across Africa and it is great news for Regional Air. We are delighted to be part of the British Airways family. Its strong brand and global reputation will be a real bonus to Regional Air and it will provide customers access to British Airways’ world wide network in countries not served previously.

“Regional Air’s strong customer focus, together with British Airways’ extensive network world wide is a great opportunity for us to gain global presence and a real bonus in the development of Regional Air.”

Tickets go on sale today and are available through IATA Travel Agents as well as British Airways and British Airways General Sales Agents’ offices world wide.