Kenya's national carrier, Kenya Airways is planning to target high-level premium customers, as part of restructuring efforts aimed at returning the airline to operational profitability.

Speaking to Reuters, the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Sebastian Mikosz, said the airline is planning to roll out a new economy plus class by the end of the year.

According to Mr Mikosz, the new class is targeted at business travellers, including American tourists and business executives on its new Nairobi-New York service.

Kenya Airways had in January, 2018, announced the official launch of daily non-stop flight between Nairobi and New York, USA which is scheduled commence on 28 October 2018.

When launched, the new 15-hour direct daily flights to New York will compete with indirect flights from big players including Emirates, British Airways and African rival, Ethiopian Airlines.

The United States is the fastest-growing source of tourists to Kenya but U.S. passengers to Kenya currently have to connect either from Europe, the Middle East or other parts of Africa.

Founded in 1977, Kenya Airways is the third largest airline by fleet in sub-Saharan Africa after Ethiopian Airlines and South Africa Airways.

From its hub in Nairobi, it currently flies to 53 domestic and international destinations in Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia, with a fleet of 34 Boeing and Embraer planes.

#kenyaAirways #PaxEx