Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has renewed his call for the implementation of an Open Skies policy, arguing that enhanced international air connectivity is critical to unlocking the full economic potential of the coastal city and positioning it as a leading hub for trade, tourism, logistics, and the Blue Economy.

Speaking at the Omani Association Conference organized by the Istiqama Muslim Charitable Association with the support of the Oman Embassy, Governor Nassir said Mombasa cannot achieve its economic ambitions without significantly expanding direct international flight connections.

The Governor, who has been a vocal advocate for increased international access through Moi International Airport, noted that despite Mombasa's strategic position as East and Central Africa's gateway to global trade, the city remains underserved in terms of direct international flights.

"Mombasa is the economic gateway to East and Central Africa, home to the region's largest seaport and one of the continent's most strategic coastal economies. Yet while Zanzibar enjoys direct air connections to approximately 35 destinations across 20 countries, Mombasa is connected to only about 18 destinations in nine countries," Nassir said.

He pointed out that Zanzibar currently records more than 100 scheduled passenger flights daily compared to Mombasa's approximately 31 flights, a gap he said translates into lost economic opportunities for the county.

"This disparity represents thousands of tourists, investors, conference delegates and business travellers who could be landing directly in our city every week. These are opportunities that we must aggressively pursue if we are to grow our economy and create jobs for our people," he added.

Governor Nassir emphasized that his push for an Open Skies policy is rooted in the need to attract more investment, increase tourism arrivals, and strengthen Mombasa's role as a regional commercial hub.

"An Open Skies policy is not merely an aviation matter; it is an economic imperative. Every additional direct flight creates opportunities for trade, tourism, investment and employment," he said.

The Governor noted that Mombasa's future growth depends on its ability to attract direct flights from key markets across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, saying improved connectivity would complement ongoing investments in infrastructure, logistics, and the Blue Economy.

"As we position Mombasa as the premier Blue Economy, logistics and tourism hub of the Western Indian Ocean, we must aggressively expand direct international connectivity. If we can open our ports to the world, we must also open our skies," Nassir stated.

Over the years, the Governor has repeatedly urged national authorities and aviation stakeholders to prioritize policies that make it easier for international airlines to operate direct routes to Mombasa, arguing that the city's economic potential cannot be fully realized while travellers continue to rely heavily on Nairobi as the primary gateway into Kenya.

He maintained that increasing direct international flights would not only benefit the tourism sector but would also attract multinational businesses, conference tourism, investors, and exporters seeking easier access to the coastal region.

"The future prosperity of Mombasa depends on our ability to connect directly with the world. Better connectivity means more visitors, more business, more jobs and greater economic growth for our people," he said.

His latest remarks come as Mombasa County continues to market itself as a leading destination for tourism, maritime trade, investment, and the Blue Economy, while seeking stronger economic