Kenya’s upcoming international sporting events could create new growth opportunities for domestic aviation, with fly748.com identifying the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2029 World Athletics Championships as potential catalysts for increased travel demand.
The airline expects the competitions to generate opportunities across the tourism value chain, from air transport and accommodation to destination experiences and local businesses.
George Oduor, Head of Scheduled Services at fly748.com, said the anticipated influx of athletes, spectators, officials, sponsors and business representatives would increase demand for reliable air connections between Nairobi and other parts of the country.
“Sports tourism is emerging as an important growth opportunity for Kenya’s travel industry,” Oduor said, noting that effective connectivity would help visitors experience more destinations beyond the host cities.
Speaking during the 16th Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE), he said domestic airlines could play a central role in distributing tourism benefits across the country by making travel to key destinations more convenient.
fly748.com currently connects Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Terminal 2, with Mombasa and Ukunda/Diani. The airline is exploring further domestic and regional network opportunities as travel needs evolve.
Oduor also highlighted the potential for sporting events to stimulate domestic travel, allowing Kenyan fans to attend competitions while supporting businesses and tourism operators in different regions.
The opportunity comes as Kenya’s tourism sector continues to expand. Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano reported that the country received approximately 2.7 million international visitors in 2025, generating an estimated KSh 500 billion in earnings. Domestic tourism accounted for approximately 5.2 million bed-nights during the same period.
The government aims to attract 5.5 million international visitors by 2028, with investment in infrastructure, marketing, digital transformation and diversified tourism products supporting the target.
Tourism Principal Secretary Ambassador Professor Julius K. Bitok has also highlighted the potential for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to benefit from increased regional travel linked to the sporting calendar.
With preparations for AFCON bringing accommodation and infrastructure requirements into focus, the 2027 tournament and 2029 championships could provide an important platform for investment, tourism growth and stronger regional connectivity.
For fly748.com, the events represent an opportunity to support this momentum by improving access to Kenya’s coastal destinations and exploring additional routes in line with market demand.
