Jambojet Suspends Nairobi-Goma Flights Over Escalating DRC Conflict
It underlined the safety and security of its customers and staff, thus immediately enforcing the suspension.
Marvin Chege 
Jambojet, a subsidiary of the national airline, Kenya Airways, has announced the suspension of flights from Nairobi to Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a notice to its customers on Monday, January 27, the low-cost regional airline noted that the decision was due to increasing safety concerns and the closure of the airspace in the DRC city.
It underlined the safety and security of its customers and staff as a priority, thus immediately enforcing the suspension. However, it revealed that it was closely monitoring the developments and will give an update on the same in due course.
"Jambojet regrets to inform you that we are temporarily halting our service between Nairobi and Goma (DRC) effective Monday, 27th January 2025 due to the increasing safety concerns and closure of the airspace," the notice read in part.
"The safety and security of our guests and staff is our utmost priority. We are closely monitoring these developments and will deliberate on the next steps together with key stakeholders both in Goma and Nairobi."
Kenyan and Congolese soldiers stand at Goma airport, Democratic Republic of Congo on December 3, 2023. /VOA NEWS
Jambojet added that its customer service team is in touch with all affected guests and JM Cargo customers through its official communication channels. "We apologize for the inconvenience caused and thank you most sincerely for your understanding," added the notice.
As of Sunday, January 26, Congolese authorities blocked access to the airport in Goma, a provincial capital in eastern DRC, and cancelled flights as M23 rebels advance on the city, according to three officials who spoke to Reuters.
The airport had not officially been closed, the sources said, but passengers who were already on site were being urged to return home, while the United Nations on Sunday told staff not to go to the airport and to shelter in place. Rebels said in a statement that the airspace over Goma is closed.
The situation has since caused a severe humanitarian crisis, with military actions displacing more than a million people. The M23 rebel group announced on Monday that it has seized control of the strategic city of Goma in eastern DRC.
Residents shared distressing footage of M23 rebels patrolling the city’s streets after a swift advance against the Congolese army, which led to tens of thousands fleeing neighbouring towns. Kenya's President William Ruto stressed the urgent need for all parties to allow humanitarian access and pursue peaceful resolutions. He called on DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to prioritize peace and heed calls from the international community and the people of the region.
In light of these developments, President Ruto announced that an Extraordinary Summit will be convened within 48 hours following consultations with EAC member states to determine the way forward for regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Jambojet began operations from Nairobi to Goma on September 10, 2021, becoming the first low-cost carrier to fly the route, and also the only direct flight between Nairobi and the Eastern DRC city.
The airline began flying two times weekly, on Monday and Friday, from its hub at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, to Goma International Airport and was set to increase its frequency to four times weekly as demand grew.
Since its inception in 2014, Jambojet, which is IOSA certified (IATA Operational Safety Audit registration), has achieved undeniable business growth with a fleet of eight De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft as of January 2024 and has flown over 4 million passengers across all its destinations.
