Little-Known Talks That Made Kenya Airways Introduce Nairobi-London Gatwick Flights

National airline Kenya Airways (KQ) has opened up on its decision to launch direct flights from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) in what will give travellers an alternative route into the United Kingdom (UK) from London Heathrow (LHR) Airport.

KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka, who spoke on Monday, June 30, during a media roundtable that brought together leading journalists and editors from both mainstream and digital platforms, attributed this to negotiations between the airline and LHR regarding the addition of slots, which would have seen KQ increase the frequency of its current Nairobi to London flights.

However, the talks fell flat after the airline was informed that the slots for the summer period this year were limited, hence turning to London Gatwick as an alternative option.

"London is a very important destination for us. We had requested additional slots at Heathrow, and they denied us slots, so what we decided to do is to go for Gatwick because it is the alternative," he revealed.

Kenya Airways CEO, Allan Kilavuka, speaking to the media on June 30, 2025. /KENYA AIRWAYS

"We wanted to fly into Heathrow 10 times like we were doing in the last year and the previous year, but this time, this year in 2025, they told us that there were limited slots for summer, so unfortunately we had to look for an alternative, that's why we are flying to Gatwick."

Viral Tea learnt that indeed, slots at Heathrow Airport, considered one of the busiest airports in the world, are limited for the summer season. This is coupled with the airport having strict limits on how many flights (slots) it can handle this summer. Slots determine when an airline can take off or land, and because Heathrow is nearly full, not all airline requests get approved.

For the Summer 2025 season (March 30 to October 25), airlines requested roughly 319,223 flight movements at Heathrow—but only about 290,495 were approved. That means nearly 30,000 requested movements were left unfilled due to capacity constraints, runway limits, and terminal handling capacity.

Additionally, Heathrow’s coordination body (Airport Coordination Limited) has released only small numbers of new slots under competition remedies. Specifically, due to regulatory conditions tied to International Airlines Group (IAG)’s (parent company of British Airways and Iberia) acquisition of British Midland International (bmi), a total of just 47 weekly slot pairs (across morning, afternoon, and evening) are available on select routes this summer

In short, Heathrow is operating at nearly 100 per cent capacity, with limited runway availability, tight terminal throughput, and only modestly increased slot supply. If airlines want to add flights now, they are essentially stuck fighting for a very small pool of available slots.

Nonetheless, Kilavuka expressed confidence in the strength of Gatwick, expected to be added to KQ's extensive route network despite a tough economy. "But all our flights are going to be full for summer," Kilavuka added.

Why It Will Be Cheaper To Fly To London Gatwick

Ahead of the official launch of the direct flight on Wednesday, July 2, travellers should know that flying to London Gatwick is usually cheaper than London Heathrow because of a mix of economics, airport infrastructure, and market positioning.

Heathrow is one of the busiest and most in-demand airports in the world, serving as the major international hub for big-name airlines and high-paying long-haul passengers. Heathrow’s slots are limited, its fees are higher, and there’s fierce competition among premium airlines to operate there. The lushness and high demand get passed right down to you in the form of higher ticket prices.

On the other hand, Gatwick is more of a “budget-friendly” player, which attracts low-cost carriers and charter airlines that thrive on cheaper operating costs and more flexible scheduling.

Further, Gatwick’s landing fees are lower, and it doesn’t have the same insane congestion as Heathrow, so airlines can run cheaper, more competitive services. Plus, Gatwick is a solid alternative for short-haul and leisure routes, meaning you get more low-cost airline options, which naturally drags the average fares down.

For Kenyan travellers, flying to Gatwick means lower air fares, thus more Kenyans — whether students, business travellers, or tourists — can afford to travel to the UK. With Gatwick’s focus on budget airlines and competitive pricing, you’re likely to see more flexible options and better deals. That extra cash you save on the ticket could go straight to other essentials, like accommodation, shopping, or even exploring Europe while you’re there.

Second, cheaper Gatwick flights could open up the market for people who might have been priced out of Heathrow altogether, as Heathrow is full of premium routes, which mainly benefit people flying on corporate budgets. Gatwick, on the other hand, gives Kenyan travellers access to more affordable travel, helping connect families, boost diaspora visits, and encourage more tourism and education opportunities.

However, the only issue is that Gatwick isn't quite as close to central London as Heathrow and has fewer direct public transport options, so you might have to factor in a slightly longer or more costly train or bus ride into the city. Still, if you’re saving serious money on airfare, most travellers will take advantage of the route, especially with the current state of Kenya's economy.

Aerial view of London Gatwick Airport. /AIRPORT WORLD