NAIROBI, Oct 8, 2026 — Kenya Airways has welcomed the move towards mandatory travel insurance for visitors, saying increased protection for tourists could improve confidence in Kenya as a preferred travel destination.
Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu said travellers are more likely to visit destinations where they have assurance that they will receive support in the event of unexpected incidents.
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Thairu said travel insurance should not be regarded merely as an additional expense but as an investment that gives travellers greater peace of mind during their trips.
“It is a good thing because insurance is so important for our consumer confidence,” he said.
He cited Zanzibar as an example of a destination that introduced mandatory travel insurance in 2024, noting that the policy did not lead to a decline in tourist arrivals.
“Tourist numbers didn’t go down. They’ve actually gone up because when people have more confidence about a destination, they will travel more,” Thairu said.
He said Kenya Airways supports government initiatives designed to strengthen the tourism sector and improve the overall experience of visitors to the country.
Beyond insurance, Thairu said improving affordability and connectivity remained important in encouraging more people to choose air travel, particularly within the East African region.
He said Jambojet, which is wholly owned by Kenya Airways, was playing a role in expanding access to air travel through competitive fares.
Jambojet recently began operating flights to Entebbe, Uganda, a move Thairu said could encourage some travellers who currently use road transport to switch to air travel.
According to Thairu, about 300,000 people currently travel by air between the two countries, while a similar number use road transport.
“There are a lot of people who travel by road to Uganda. Currently, we have about 300,000 people who travel by air and about another 300,000 that travel by road,” he said.
He said the airline sees an opportunity to attract more road travellers by providing affordable fares and convenient flight options.
Kenya Airways is also seeking to strengthen its regional network by increasing flight frequencies, with Thairu noting that the carrier currently operates four flights daily to Entebbe.
The frequent connections, he said, are particularly important for business travellers and tourists who require flexible travel schedules.
Thairu also backed policy measures aimed at making travel across Africa easier, including open-skies arrangements and initiatives that reduce barriers to movement.
He pointed to Kenya’s removal of visa requirements as an example of a policy change that has supported growth in tourist arrivals.
“We’ve seen growth in tourist numbers into Kenya,” he said.
Thairu said Kenya Airways remains central to Kenya’s ambitions of becoming a regional economic and tourism hub because of the connectivity it provides to international markets.
“Without Kenya Airways, as I said, Kenya would be a forgotten island,” he said.
He added that the national carrier’s network helps facilitate tourism, investment and business by connecting Kenya with key destinations across Africa and beyond.
Thairu said continued expansion of air connectivity, alongside investment in supporting infrastructure, would be crucial in positioning Kenya as a competitive regional hub and attracting more visitors and investors.