Stronger collaboration between manufacturers, investors and other businesses could unlock the Coast region’s industrial potential while driving increased demand for domestic air travel, Fly748 has said.
Fly748 Head of Scheduled Services George Oduor said closer partnerships involving manufacturers, investors, suppliers, tourism operators and other businesses could help reposition the Coast as more than just a leisure destination.
According to Oduor, building a broader economic ecosystem around manufacturing, trade and investment would generate increased demand for both business and leisure travel.
He made the remarks during the 3rd Edition of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Coast Golf Tournament, held on Saturday, August 29, at Nyali Golf Club in Mombasa under the theme “Industry Partnerships Forged on the Fairways.”
“The Coast has enormous potential to become a stronger manufacturing, trade and investment hub,” Oduor said, adding that unlocking the potential would require stronger links connecting businesses with markets, investors, suppliers, talent and customers.
 
220 Players Attend KAM Coast Tournament
The tournament attracted 220 registered players drawn from the manufacturing sector and the wider business community.
Organisers used the event to provide industry leaders with an opportunity to network, strengthen relationships and explore partnerships that could support manufacturing growth and sustainability in Mombasa and the wider Coast region.
Oduor said growth in manufacturing would have benefits extending beyond factories and industrial businesses, with aviation, tourism, hospitality and other service sectors also standing to gain.
He argued that manufacturing and tourism should not be treated as separate economic engines because business visits involving investors, suppliers and corporate partners also generate demand for flights, hotels, restaurants, conference facilities and other local services.
Fly748 Eyes Growing Nairobi-Coast Business Traffic
Oduor also pointed to the importance of reliable connectivity between ,Nairobi and the Coast, particularly as companies expand their operations, seek new markets and strengthen their supply chains.
For airlines, he said, the opportunity lies in ensuring that companies can efficiently move employees, investors and other stakeholders between Kenya’s key economic centres.
Strengthening business travel could also help the Coast develop a more balanced aviation market by complementing the region’s traditional reliance on leisure and holiday travellers.
While Mombasa remains one of Kenya’s leading tourism destinations, Oduor said there was considerable room to expand its business travel segment.
A more diversified Coast economy, he added, would ultimately benefit manufacturing, aviation, hospitality and tourism.
Fly748, the domestic scheduled service of 748 Air Services, currently operates passenger services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Terminal 2 to Mombasa and Ukunda (Diani).