Why last-minute flight bookings are becoming more expensive for Kenyan travellers
Domestic air travel is becoming increasingly expensive for Kenyans who wait until the last minute to book, with airlines warning that school holidays, long weekends and peak tourism periods are driving up ticket prices on key routes. According to data from online travel agency CheapOair, a growing number of travellers are making booking decisions much […]
Last-minute flight bookings are becoming pricier for Kenyan travelers, as airlines attribute the rise in ticket prices to several factors such as school holidays, long weekends, peak tourism periods, and the increasing trend of travelers booking closer to their departure dates. A study by online travel agency CheapOair found that 62 percent of travelers in Kenya are now booking trips within 30 days of departure, signaling a shift towards spontaneous travel planning.
Despite a surge in search activity across various travel segments, with domestic weekend, international family, and international group travel searches all up by 16.2 percent, 16.3 percent, and 11.5 percent respectively, bookings have not kept pace, indicating that many travelers are taking more time to compare fares and wait for better deals.
This wait-and-see approach can prove costly, particularly during peak seasons like school holidays, long weekends, public holidays, and high tourism periods, when popular destinations like Mombasa and Diani see rapid fill-ups of flights. Industry experts warn that early booking can save both money and time, offering travelers a broader selection of flights and seats, which reduces the risk of being caught off guard by surging demand.
Fly748.com's Head of Scheduled Services George Oduor emphasizes the importance of choosing early to secure better options and avoid the possibility of airfares skyrocketing due to increased demand. He advises travelers to avoid assuming airlines will always offer cheaper tickets at the eleventh hour, stressing that airfare pricing is heavily influenced by demand and seat availability.
For families planning vacations, Oduor suggests aligning travel dates with school and public holiday calendars to mitigate the costs associated with peak travel periods. As domestic air travel gains popularity for leisure, business, and family events, especially along coastal routes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, airlines like Fly748.com are responding by introducing promotional fares and time-limited offers, such as a 10 percent discount during the final week of July, to incentivize more Kenyans to book flights in advance.
The airline plans to expand its services while maintaining a commitment to safety, reliability, and affordability for domestic travel across Kenya.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
