Fly748.com has officially resumed scheduled passenger operations, marking a significant return to Kenya’s domestic aviation market with a renewed focus on affordability, reliability, and customer experience.
The airline’s maiden return flights departed on May 1, 2026, connecting Nairobi to the Coast with services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Mombasa and Ukunda, as it begins a phased re-entry into the competitive sector.
The relaunch comes amid rising demand for domestic air travel, driven by increased economic activity across counties, expanding government travel, and a growing calendar of business, cultural, and social events nationwide.
Structured return built on experience
Head of Fly748.com, George Oduor, said the airline is leveraging its deep operational experience—particularly in complex aviation environments—to deliver consistent scheduled services.
“For our scheduled services, this translates into disciplined scheduling, efficient turnaround processes, and strong operational oversight. The goal is simple: deliver a service that performs predictably, every day,” said Oduor.
He added that the airline’s background in humanitarian aviation has shaped its systems and operational philosophy.
“In humanitarian aviation, particularly in last-mile operations, you learn to manage complexity with precision. You operate in conditions where infrastructure is minimal, timelines are critical, and outcomes matter deeply. That experience has shaped how we build systems, focused on control, adaptability, and consistency,” explained Oduor.
Gradual network expansion
The airline confirmed that its initial Nairobi–Mombasa and Nairobi–Ukunda routes will serve as a baseline for expansion, with additional frequencies, destinations, and capacity expected as demand grows.
“The current routes serve as our operational baseline. From here, we will expand methodically, introducing additional frequencies, scaling capacity with larger aircraft, and extending into new domestic and regional destinations,” said Oduor.
Targeting business and leisure travellers
Chairman of 748 Air Services, Ahmed Jibril, said the relaunch is expected to enhance connectivity to the Coast, making travel more accessible for a wide range of passengers.
“We are here for the business traveller who needs to be in Mombasa in the morning and back after a productive day. We are here for the family travelling for a holiday. We are here for the hotelier, the tour operator, the conference guest, the student, the government officer, the entrepreneur, and the frequent flyer who simply wants an airline they can depend on,” said Jibril.
He added that the airline is introducing a loyalty programme to reward repeat customers.
“Our offering includes a customer loyalty programme designed to reward frequent flyers. We want our regular passengers to feel appreciated, because loyalty must go both ways. When you choose Fly748.com again and again, we want you to benefit from that choice,” he said.
Building a national and regional footprint
Managing Director of 748 Air Services, Moses Mwangi, emphasised the airline’s ambition to play a larger role in national connectivity while maintaining operational discipline during its initial phase.
“From there, we will scale, adding frequencies, optimizing fleet deployment, and introducing higher-capacity aircraft as demand grows. Beyond domestic operations, we are positioning ourselves for regional expansion, leveraging our established presence across Africa to unlock new connectivity,” said Mwangi.
He noted that the airline will continue balancing its commercial ambitions with its humanitarian operations.
“Importantly, our growth will remain balanced. While we expand into scheduled aviation, our humanitarian mission- particularly in the last mile – will continue to be a defining part of our identity,” he added.
Riding changing travel trends
The relaunch comes at a time when travel patterns in Kenya are shifting, with more passengers opting for air transport as counties open up to investment, conferences, and cultural festivals.
“Events such as devolution conferences and regional cultural gatherings have increasingly driven passenger traffic, creating new opportunities for domestic carriers,” said Oduor.
The airline is positioning itself as a key enabler of domestic tourism, trade, and regional integration, particularly in underserved and high-growth destinations.
Focus on customer experience
As part of its comeback strategy, Fly748.com has rolled out improvements in scheduling, booking processes, and overall customer experience.
“We understand the importance of time, cost, and reliability for today’s traveler. Our goal is to make air travel more accessible while maintaining the highest operational standards,” affirmed Oduor.
748 Air Services, the parent company of Fly748.com, has over three decades of aviation experience, providing passenger and cargo services across humanitarian, natural resource, and government sectors.
Through its scheduled domestic service, the airline aims to extend that reputation to everyday travellers, offering safe, dependable, and competitively priced flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Terminal 2 to key destinations including Mombasa and Ukunda (Diani).
With its return now underway, industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the airline can carve out a sustainable niche in Kenya’s fast-evolving aviation landscape.
