A new airline has introduced daily passenger plane services between Wilson Airport and Kabunde Airstrip in Homa bay, a development that will boost the transport industry in the County.
Silverstone Airlines becomes the third airline to operate at Kabunde Airstrip after Fly 540 and Blue Sky Aviation launched their operations earlier on.
According to the Silverstone Air Chief Operating Officer David Ojwang and the company Sales and Marketing Manager Patrick Oketch, the Airline will be operating the route on a daily basis, a departure from the other flights which operate on specific days of the week.
Ojwang said they will start with the morning flights which will depart from Wilson airport at 7.30 am for Kabunde whereas another carrier plane will depart from Kabunde to Wilson at 8.35 am.
“We are also contemplating introducing afternoon flights, but this will depend on an increase in the demand of our services,” said Ojwang.
Oketch revealed that flight fares will cost Sh 6,500 one way adding that they will maximize the opportunity being that they are the only airline offering daily services along the route.
“I am assuring our customers of reliable flights every day. We won’t have cancellation of flights and this will help customers get value for their money used in booking our flights,” said Oketch.
The official launch of the airline’s operations was presided over by the County team led by Homa Bay Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata, the County Assembly acting Speaker Evans Marieba and Miss President Nereah Oketch at Kabunde Airstrip.
Orata said the airline will boost business in the entire South Nyanza region as it will save traders from spending long hours travelling between Nairobi and Homa Bay.
“The daily flights being launched today will be a good opportunity for our traders who move from Homa Bay to Nairobi and vice versa,” said Orata.
The Deputy Governor argued that the flights will boost tourism both in Homa Bay County and the entire South Nyanza region. He further added that the flight will create job opportunities for area residents.
“Homa Bay County has many tourist attraction sites like Ruma National Park, Lake Simbi Nyaima among others. This flight will encourage tourists to visit the sites,” Orata said.
On his part, Marieba pledged that the County Assembly will make legislations which create favorable environment for investors in the county.
“Investors require conducive policies to operate. We will always make legislations which favor investors,” said Marieba.
By Godwine Ochieng and Dan Oduor
