First Kenyan Virgin flight lands

Virgin Atlantic had launched a new service between London and Kenya, with the inaugural flight arriving in the East African country early this morning (June 4th).

From now on, the airline will offer a daily service between Heathrow and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Kenya. Flights will leave the London airport at 19:15 and arrive in Kenya at 06:05 local time the following morning.

Return flights from Kenya will leave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 08:15 local time and arrive back in the UK at 14:50.

"I am really pleased that Virgin Atlantic is now serving Nairobi, the airline's fourth African destination which is not only an important city in its own right, but also the gateway for the whole of East Africa and the Indian Ocean," commented Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic.

"Kenya is a wonderful country with much to offer visitors from the busy, vibrant capital city of Nairobi to the wealth of almost unbeatable game reserves and wildlife and world-famous beach resorts like Mombasa."

Dr A A Moody, the vice president of Kenya, welcomed the flight, saying: "On behalf of the people of Kenya, I am delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic and Sir Richard Branson.

"The new service will not only further boost Kenya's links with the UK, which are already strong, but also contribute to an expanding Kenyan economy through greater visitor numbers.

Earlier, Virgin revealed that Sir Richard Branson was donating $250,000 to an elephant wildlife project in Kenya.