Kenya Airways has stopped flying to Eldoret, marking another withdrawal from one of its key domestic routes less than two years after it resumed services. The move comes amid operational pressures that have forced the airline to rethink its network and shift some flights to its low-cost subsidiary.
Passengers trying to book flights to Eldoret through Kenya Airways’ system now see the message: “Unfortunately we are not able to recommend flights to this location,” signalling a halt in services without an official statement from the airline.
Flight tracking shows the last service to the town took place in late December, with all subsequent trips cancelled.
Kenya Airways has not responded to inquiries about whether the exit is temporary or permanent.
Currently, Eldoret is served by only two airlines: Skyward and Jambojet. The route, along with Nairobi–Mombasa and Nairobi–Kisumu, remains one of the busiest domestic connections in the country.
The airline resumed flights to Eldoret in March 2024 after nearly a decade away, competing directly with Jambojet, which has flown the route since its launch in 2014. Kenya Airways had previously left Eldoret in 2014 amid cost-cutting measures and financial strain, withdrawing from low-yield routes to reduce pressure on its operations.
Last year, Kenya Airways faced similar challenges as global aircraft parts shortages grounded a significant part of its fleet. Capacity was reduced by at least 20 percent, increasing costs and limiting passenger numbers.
The airline reported a net loss of Sh12.2 billion in the half-year to June, reversing a profit of Sh513 million a year earlier. The decline was linked to restricted flight operations, which cut passenger volumes by around 14 percent.
The airline has issued a profit warning for the year ending December 2025, forecasting at least a 25 percent drop in earnings due to operational difficulties.
For much of the year, roughly 11 of Kenya Airways’ 34 planes were grounded for maintenance, with repairs delayed by global spare parts shortages.
A longer absence from Eldoret could push ticket prices higher, as only Skyward and Jambojet now operate flights to the city.
