Budget carrier Skyward Express has started flights to Lamu, upping the competition among airlines that are serving Coastal routes. Skyward Express is flying daily from Wilson Airport, avoiding rival Jambojet’s hub at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport, and will be flying to Lamu via Mombasa.

The stopover in Mombasa provides the airline a competitive advantage.

“Currently, most of the flights to Lamu are via Malindi and as a result travelers take about three hours to arrive at Manda Airport,” said Lamu tourism director Ali Ahmed.

Other airlines operating flights to Lamu are Kenya Airway’s low cost carrier, Jambojet, Air Kenya, Safarilink, Fly540 and Fly-SAX.

The entry of Skywards on the Lamu route comes just weeks after the United Kingdom amended its travel advisory for Lamu and Manda islands.  The UK said that it “no longer advised against travel to Lamu Island and Manda Island” but cautioned visitors to opt for air travel rather than road transport.

The nature of this travel advice is expected to boost tourist numbers and channel customers to the airlines.

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