The Kenyan Minister of Tourism Najib Balala has told Bloomberg that he is planning to approach United Kingdom-based low-cost carriers over possible direct services between Europe and Mombasa.

"We are developing a strategy to encourage low-cost carriers from the UK to fly here. I will be looking to start discussions with Ryanair (FR, Dublin International) and easyJet (London Luton)," Balala said.

Neither of the LCCs currently offers services to sub-Saharan Africa. In Africa, both operate to Morocco, while easyJet also serves Hurghada in Egypt.

With a distance of over 7,000 kilometres, UK-Mombasa routes are beyond the range of new generation B737-8s or A320neo. However, the LCCs could potentially reach Kenya non-stop from their bases in southern Europe.

Mombasa, albeit a smaller airport than the capital Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, is located on the Indian Ocean and preferred by many incoming travellers.

According to the ch-aviation capacity module, Mombasa currently sees limited scheduled traffic to Europe with 12 weekly departures, including five to Istanbul Atatürk by Turkish Airlines, a total of four to Milan Malpensa by Air Italy, Blue Panorama Airlines, and Neos Air, as well as one flight per week to each of Frankfurt International, Rome Fiumicino, and Verona.