fly748.com is anticipating increased demand for domestic air travel as Kenya prepares to host major international sporting events, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2029 World Athletics Championships.
The airline sees the events as an opportunity to strengthen domestic air connectivity, attract international visitors and stimulate growth across Kenya’s aviation and tourism sectors.
George Oduor, Head of Scheduled Services at fly748.com, said sports tourism is becoming an important driver of travel demand, with major competitions attracting athletes, fans, officials, sponsors and business delegations.
“Sports tourism is emerging as an important growth opportunity for Kenya’s travel industry. Major sporting events attract athletes, fans, officials, sponsors and business delegations, generating demand for air travel, accommodation and other tourism services,” said Oduor.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 16th Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), Oduor emphasised the importance of reliable domestic air services in helping visitors explore destinations beyond Nairobi.
He said efficient connections between major cities and tourism destinations would be critical to maximising the economic benefits of the anticipated increase in visitor numbers.
fly748.com currently operates scheduled passenger flights from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Terminal 2, to Mombasa and Ukunda/Diani, connecting travellers to two of Kenya’s leading coastal destinations.
The airline is also exploring opportunities to expand its domestic and regional network in response to changing market demand.
Oduor added that the sporting calendar could boost domestic tourism by encouraging Kenyans to attend competitions, travel across the country and support local businesses.
“Domestic tourism is an equally important part of this opportunity. Sporting events can encourage Kenyans to travel across the country, support local businesses and discover destinations they might not otherwise visit,” he said.
Kenya’s tourism sector recorded strong performance in 2025, welcoming approximately 2.7 million international visitors and generating an estimated KSh 500 billion in tourism earnings, according to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano. Domestic tourism also registered approximately 5.2 million bed-nights.
The government is targeting 5.5 million international visitors by 2028 through continued investment in infrastructure, destination marketing, digital transformation and tourism product diversification.
Tourism Principal Secretary Ambassador Professor Julius K. Bitok said Kenya and its regional neighbours, particularly Uganda and Tanzania, could benefit from increased visitor flows associated with the upcoming sporting events.
Preparations for AFCON are already prompting discussions around accommodation, infrastructure and the capacity to host large visitor numbers.
Kenya’s successful bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships is expected to provide another opportunity to raise the country’s international profile and strengthen its position as a destination for sports, leisure and business travel.
