PRESS-RELEASE
Astral Aviation adds Mogadishu to its network
Following the positive outcome of the London Conference on Somalia and the improvement of security in Mogadishu, Astral Aviation is pleased to announce the commencement of a scheduled freighter service from Nairobi–Mogadishu, effective 14th March 2012, which will operate on Day 3 on the DC9 Freighter with upto 15 tons of capacity for cargo. According to the CEO, Sanjeev Gadhia, Astral will be the first freighter airline to provide a schedule service into Mogadishu which is expected to provide an alternate to the limited belly capacity and sea-freight options that currently exists into Mogadishu, which will be complemented with connectivity from Europe, Middle East, Asia and South Africa via Astral's GSA's, Interline Partners and Freight Forwarders. Prior to the commencement of the schedule service, Astral had operated various charters for relief cargoes between August 2011 and January 2012. According to the Operations Director, Michael Mutahi, the risk factor of flying into Mogadishu has been significantly reduced due to the improved security in and around the airport. Furthermore, the airport is being managed by a professional company, SKA Arabia, who have the equipment, personnel and the fuel to provide an efficient service which has surpassed our expectations. The Mogadishu route is the 6th schedule destination on Astral's intra-African network which includes Juba, Mwanza, Dar-es-salaam, Entebbe and Kigali.
Press Related enquiries can be sent to -: Sanjeev S. Gadhia - C.E.O
Astral Aviation Ltd Jomo Kenyatta International Airport - Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254-20-827222 / +254-733-827222 Gsm: +254-733-513120 Web: www.astral-aviation.com
