Kenya’s regional airline JamboJet is now nine years old. Founded in 2014 as a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, Jambojet embarked on its journey with the mission to make air travel accessible to all Kenyans. Immediately after inception, the airline’s commitment to offering affordable fares quickly garnered attention, attracting travelers who previously found air travel to be out of reach. Many Kenyans will attest to the fact that their first ever flying experience was on a Jambojet plane. Thousands have now been able to take to the skies for business, leisure, social events, or just to go home.
The airline has also pulled quite a bit of weight in empowering local tourism and business not only by breathing life into existing routes, but also by introducing new ones. So far, Jambojet has under its belt flight routes to Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi, Mombasa, Diani, Lamu and Goma DRC.
As a shining example of route growth, Kisumu has since risen to be one of the most lucrative routes having flown over one million passengers since Jambojet’s entry. The peripheral economic benefits to the city are immense with all corners of the local economy benefiting from the influx of visitors. This is one route I find quite unique, especially with the introduction of the Kisumu Mombasa direct flight for that lakeside to beach experience for families and business travelers.
As Jambojet celebrates the remarkable nine year journey, my colleagues and I traveled to Kisumu to experience the lakeside city, discover the magnificent Ciala Resort, and the fun activities that the environs have to offer. Ciala is a 56-room business hotel a few kilometers from the hustle and bustle of Kisumu town as you drive towards Busia. The resort has all round facilities like conferencing, modern gym and spa, bars and restaurants, and accommodation. For those coming or leaving by air, it is about 25 minutes drive from the airport.
During our stay at Ciala, we got to visit the surrounding areas and take on fun activities, most notable being cycling, hiking Ndere Island and Maragoli Hills. On any given day, hiking is challenging for beginners and those who are a bit rusty like me. The hikes were not punishing though and at the peak of Ndere Islands for instance, we were rewarded with incredible all-round views of the lakeside region from a vantage point. The very rocky Maragoli Hills offer breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys, villages, and landscapes. Being in their imposing presence, one can almost feel the rich cultural and historical significance they have to the people. It is at the foot of one of these rocky hills that Ciala organized an outdoor breakfast – quite a fun and unique experience and a perfect tail end of a hike.
Kisumu was quite a trip and a befitting atmosphere in which to reminisce on Jambojet’s accomplishments, growth, and impact on the aviation landscape. Let’s have a look at some of the highlights of the airline’s journey
Growth
Over the nine years, Jambojet has expanded its reach, adding more destinations to its network and gradually becoming a formidable player in the regional aviation scene. The airline’s emphasis on providing cost-effective travel options played a crucial role in opening up new opportunities for tourism, business, and leisure travel across Kenya. In line with this growth, Jambojet which currently runs 380 flights weekly in 11 routes recently welcomed its newest bird christened Kozi, which we were privileged to fly in back to Nairobi.
Safety
Jambojet has consistently upheld the highest safety standards and this commitment has earned it a solid reputation, allowing passengers to fly with peace of mind.
Innovation and customer centric approach
The airline makes good use of technology to streamline booking processes, offer convenient payment options, and enhance the overall travel experience. By having a digital presence and engaging with passengers online, Jambojet has fostered a strong easygoing bond with its customers, building trust and loyalty over the years.
Sustainability
In an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront, Jambojet recognized the importance of sustainability. The airline took steps to minimize its carbon footprint through fuel-efficient operations and eco-friendly initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to responsible aviation practices.
Still towards sustainability, a great initiative is Jambojet’s MOU with ELDOWAS (Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company), to jointly adopt a tree nursery with a capacity of 100,000 seedlings, in support of reforestation efforts in Uasin Gishu. Read more about it here.
Community Engagement
No business can thrive in isolation. Business growth is tied to the well-being of communities that businesses serve. Jambojet recognizes this and beyond its operational excellence, the airline has actively engaged with local communities through various corporate social responsibility initiatives.
As we look ahead, we can expect the airline to continue flying high and setting new standards for the aviation industry in Kenya and beyond.