An aerial view of aircrafts at a Kenyan airport. The newly launched freedom airliner is expected to be a game changer for travellers travelling to and from Garissa. [Photo|The Dupuis Dispatch]
Residents of Garissa who wish to travel by air can now do so following the launch of the first flight in the area yesterday.
The freedom airline which carried its first passengers yesterday will be operating on Monday and Fridays. It will charge Sh5,000 per passenger.
According to Shillow Abukar, the manager of the airline, he decided to venture into the business following numerous requests from the residents.
Speaking to the press after seeing off the first bunch of travellers, Shillow said that the agency will be consistent and urged the residents to travel by air saying that it was faster and more affordable.
“I am really encouraged by the big number of those who had turned up to travel on the first day.[17 in number]I am optimistic that going forward, we will have a much bigger number who will fill the plane,” said Shillow.
Buses normally charge Sh1,000 and it takes six hours travelling from Garissa to Nairobi.
He said that the airline plans to make it daily, this he says will, however, depend on the passengers.
Fatuma Abdi a nominated MCA from Garissa, who was among those who flew on the first day welcomed it saying that it will go a long way that apart from reducing cost, it will also reduce travelling hours.
“Initially I used to get inconvenienced a lot. Whenever I wanted to travel to Nairobi I was forced to fuel my vehicle and hire a driver. In total I was using close to 25,000.but with the flight, I will save a lot,” she said.
She challenged the airline to start of direct flights from Garissa to Mombasa and Lamu saying that many have business interests in the areas but it tiring to travel by road.
Ahmed Jelle a local businessman from Garissa said that the sick who have always been forced to travel for long distance while being rushed to Nairobi for treatment will get to Nairobi in good time to be treated.
Two years ago, another airline, Sagal airline launched the operations but did not last a week because there were no passengers. They were charging 8,000 which according to many was much.
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