Turkish Airlines has officially resumed direct flights between Istanbul and Mombasa, re-establishing a vital international air link that was suspended five years ago. The move is anticipated to provide a significant uplift to Kenya’s coastal tourism, trade, and global connectivity.

The inaugural flight, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, touched down at Moi International Airport (MIA) at 4:20 AM EAT on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Upon arrival, it was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, a ceremony marking significant aviation events. The event was attended by a delegation of senior officials, including the Turkish Ambassador to Kenya, Subutay Yüksel, and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Chairman, Caleb Kositany, who welcomed the crew and passengers.

Economic and Tourism Impact

The national carrier of Türkiye will operate three weekly flights on this route, providing much-needed capacity for both passengers and cargo. Each flight will offer up to eight tonnes of belly cargo capacity, a development expected to bolster the export of fresh produce and other goods from the coastal region, enhancing trade ties between Kenya and Turkey. This aligns with the government's agenda to modernize and expand aviation infrastructure to position MIA as a key regional gateway.

Tourism stakeholders have lauded the resumption, highlighting its perfect timing with Kenya's peak travel season. The direct connection to Istanbul, a major global hub, links Mombasa to Turkish Airlines' extensive network of over 320 destinations worldwide, making the Kenyan coast more accessible to international tourists, particularly from European markets. A representative from the Kenya Tourism Federation stated that direct flights make the destination more accessible to European travelers and international investors, which is expected to significantly boost the coastal economy.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

The decision to reinstate the route followed discussions between Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Turkish Airlines General Manager Oguzcan Yerli earlier in the year. In a statement on July 28, 2025, Governor Nassir confirmed the October 26 resumption date, calling it a "major win for our tourism and logistics sectors." The flight, covering a distance of 3,221 miles, has a duration of approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Trade between Kenya and Turkey has been on a growth trajectory. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, in 2023, Turkish exports to Kenya were valued at $272 million, while Kenyan exports to Turkey stood at $23.7 million. Key Kenyan exports include tropical fruits and tea, while Turkey exports items like nitrogenous fertilizers and dried legumes. The increased cargo capacity is expected to further facilitate this trade relationship.

Turkish Airlines first launched flights to Mombasa in 2011 but suspended the route in 2020 amid the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its return marks renewed confidence in Mombasa as a strategic hub for tourism and commerce. The airline joins other international carriers like Ethiopian Airlines, Flydubai, and Uganda Airlines with scheduled flights to the coastal city, complementing a host of charter airlines that also operate out of MIA.