Tuesday January 5, 2021
NAIROBI (HOL) - Four Somali airlines have announced new airfares for Mogadishu-Nairobi route in what could see passengers now dig deep into their pockets.
In an agreement effective January 1, airfares for Daallo, Freedom Air, Salaam Air and Premier Air will cap at $260 for adults. A child will be charged $230 while an infant will have to part with $30. The revised figures are a significant jump given the current rates.
Prior to these changes, airfares used to go as a low as $110 for the low cost carriers. Airlines such as African Airlines which are not part of the new arrangement would charge a high of $260. These price ranges would however fluctuate depending on the seasons.It is not clear from the new agreement if the new charges will be season-sensitive to allow for adjustments during peak and off-peak seasons.
Though the four airlines did not cite reasons for the new changes, the impact of COVID19 which has adversely affected air travel must have informed the changes. Somalia lifted international travel ban in July 2019 after a four months freeze.
The diplomatic spat between Kenya and Somalia which has seen both countries shut down their respective embassies has also worsened the already fragile aviation market since visa services were affected.
The joint position by the four airlines will also been seen as a survival strategy in a volatile market which, owing to COVID19 impact may take time to recover.
Leveraging on a common market rate will likely shield the airlines from adverse effects of market competition.
It is noteworthy that international airlines have also eaten into the local market. Kenya Airways, Uganda Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish and Djibouti Airlines also operate the Mogadishu route from their respective countries and offering more superior services.