Skyward Express
{{short description|Private airline in Kenya}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Skyward Express
| logo =
| IATA = OW
| ICAO = SEW
| callsign =
| headquarters = Wilson Airport
| parent =
| founded = 2013
| ceased =
| key_people = Mohamed Abdi (Chairman) {{cite web|url=https://www.africanaerospace.aero/battle-hots-up-in-east-africa-s-thriving-lcc-market.html |title=Battle Hots Up In East Africa's Thriving LCC Market |publisher=African Aerospace News Service |date=21 September 2016 |author=Githae Mwaniki | access-date=9 April 2021 |location=Nairobi}}
| bases = Wilson Airport (Passenger)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Cargo)
| focus_cities = Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi
| frequent_flyer =
| alliance =
| lounge =
| fleet_size = 10
| destinations = 8
| website =[https://www.skywardexpress.co.ke/ Homepage]
}}
Skyward Express, {{airline codes|OW|SEW}}, is a private airline operating in Kenya. It serves local destinations, from its two operations bases at Wilson Airport for passengers and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for cargo. Both airports are located in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital city.{{cite web |url=https://www.africanaerospace.aero/battle-hots-up-in-east-africa-s-thriving-lcc-market.html |title=Battle Hots Up In East Africa's Thriving LCC Market |publisher=African Aerospace News Service |date=21 September 2016 |author=Githae Mwaniki | access-date=9 April 2021 |location=Nairobi}}{{cite web| date=9 April 2021 |url=https://www.skywardexpress.co.ke/about-us |title=About Us |
publisher=Skyward Express |author=Skyward Express |access-date=9 April 2021 |location=Nairobi}}
Location
The airline maintains its headquarters at Wilson Airport, within Nairobi, Kenya's largest city and the country's capital.{{cite web| title=Contact Us |date=9 April 2021 | url=https://www.skywardexpress.co.ke/contact-us |publisher=Skyward Express |access-date=9 April 2021 | author=Skyward Express |location=Nairobi}} Wilson Airport is located approximately {{convert|5|km|0}}, by road, southwest of the city centre.{{google maps| url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Kenyatta+International+Convention+Centre,+City+Square,+along,+Harambee+Ave,+Nairobi,+Kenya/Wilson+Airport,+Karen,+Langata+Rd,+Nairobi,+Kenya/@-1.3039625,36.8118134,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x182f11747e756f41:0x146973898c119b47!2m2!1d36.8230869!2d-1.2886614!1m5!1m1!1s0x182f1046370ae7b1:0xff9f6c3c9300a993!2m2!1d36.817648!2d-1.319185!3e0 |title=Road Distance Between Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi And Wilson Airport, Nairobi |access-date=9 April 2021}}
The airline maintains a private building at Wilson Airport, for the exclusive use of Skyward Express staff and clients. The building is "equipped with a modern cafeteria", among other amenities.{{cite web| date=5 February 2021 | url=https://www.golfnewslinks.co.ke/index.php/here-we-come-as-skyward-express-spreads-its-wings-to-malindi-international-airport/ |title=Here we Come as Skyward Express Spreads {{as written|I|t's [sic?]}} Wings to Malindi International Airport |publisher=Golf News Links Kenya |author=Maarufu Mohamed |access-date=9 April 2021 |
location=Mombasa}}{{Dead link|date=May 2022}}
History
Overview
With the cessation of service by Skyward International Aviation, Skyward Express began commercial operations in 2013. Initially, the airline offered passenger charter and cargo service between Nairobi, Kenya, and destinations in neighboring Somalia. These services included the shipment of miraa from Nairobi to Somalia.
With the acquisition of more aircraft, the airline has expanded and diversified its passenger and cargo service to include more destinations and frequencies to oil-rich northwestern Kenyan counties and coastal tourist attractions.
Destinations
As of April 2021, Skyward Express scheduled services to the following destinations:{{cite web| url=https://www.skywardexpress.co.ke/ |title=Our Destinations |
publisher=Skyward Express |date=9 April 2021 |author=Skyward Express |access-date=9 April 2021 |location=Nairobi}}
- Kenya
- Nairobi: Wilson Airport (Passenger Hub)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Cargo Hub) - Eldoret: Eldoret International Airport
- Lodwar: Lodwar Airport
- Mombasa: Moi International Airport
- Malindi: Malindi Airport
- Lamu: Lamu Airport{{cite web| url=https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/budget-carrier-launches-new-flights-kenya-coast?page=48 |title=Budget Carrier Launches New Flights To Kenya Coast |publisher=Daily Southern and East African Tourism Update |date=7 April 2017 |access-date=9 April 2021 | author=Mathias Ringa |location=Johannesburg}}
- Ukunda: Ukunda Airport
- Kakamega: Kakamega Airstrip
- Kitale: Kitale Airport
- Migori: Migori Airport
Fleet
As of September 2023, Skyward Express maintained the following aircraft:
| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="margin:1em auto; border-collapse:collapse" |
| style="background:#472c15;"
|+ Skyward Express !Aircraft !style="width:25px;"|In fleet !Order !Passengers !Notes |
| align=center|Fokker 50
|align=center|5 |align=center|— |align=center|50 |align="center"| |
| align=center|Fokker 70
|align=center|1 |align=center|— |align=center|70 |align="center"| |
| align=center|Fokker 100
|align=center|1 |align=center|— |align=center|110 |align=center| |
| align=center|Dash8-Q300
|align=center|3 |align=center|— |align=center|50 |align="center"| |
| align="center"|Total
|align="center"|10 |align="center"|— |align="center"| | |
Accidents and incidents
- On July 21, 2021, a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 registered as 5Y-GRS crash-landed at El Wak, Kenya when its landing gear collapsed.Skyward Express plane crash-lands in a Somali military base https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/news/skyward-express-plane-crash-lands-somali-military-base-3481010
See also
{{Portal|Kenya|Companies|Aviation}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.skywardexpress.co.ke/ Official Website]
{{Authority control}}
{{Airlines of Kenya}}
{{coord|01|19|22|S|36|48|27|E|display=title}}