Flying The Recently Rebranded Skyward Airlines: My Experience On Kenya’s Fast Rising Regional Airline.

Earlier this week, I flew from Nairobi to Mombasa to participate in my first ever African Public Relations Association (APRA) 2025 Conference hosted by the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), where I took part in two discussion panels focused on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in public relations and communications from a digital perspective — one as a panelist and the other as a moderator.

This year’s conference brought together Africa’s top PR professionals, communicators, and thought leaders to explore how AI, data, and emerging technologies are reshaping storytelling, trust, and engagement across the continent. It was an exciting and important moment to help shape the future of the industry in a time of massive transformation.

But before diving into these discussions, my day started with a pleasant surprise — flying with Skyward Airlines, formerly known as Skyward Express.

A Return To A Familiar Airline… With A New Brand Identity

The last time I flew with them was a few years ago, either to Diani or Mombasa for a family holiday or work trip. Back then, Skyward Express was operating from Wilson Airport using their familiar Dash 8 propeller aircraft. What stood out to me then — and still holds true — is that they were affordable, efficient, and reliable, especially for short-haul domestic routes.

Fast forward and a few weeks ago during another work engagement, I spotted a Skyward Airlines jet — one of their Fokkers — at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) which was something of a pleasant surprise to be honest. That visual encounter stuck with me. So, when I was making travel arrangements for this trip last week and couldn’t find a suitable flight in terms of timing and cost from the usual suspects, Skyward Airlines popped up as the best option. I booked online via their website and paid using M-PESA, which was smooth and seamless. I even received a text / sms reminder about my flight the day before — although it came from a standard mobile number rather than a branded sender ID like “Skyward Express,” which is something they should consider improving for a better customer experience.

Terminal 2 Realities & A Smooth Takeoff

Arriving at JKIA in Nairobi, I checked in at Terminal 2, where Skyward Airlines operates from. As has long been the case, Terminal 2 is still not on par with Terminal 1 — something the Kenya Airports Authority really needs to look into from a customer experience perspective. That said, the check-in process was smooth, although the waiting area and the café could certainly use some upgrades.

Boarding was straightforward, and I managed to capture some great early morning photos of the plane and the surrounding scenes. Once on board, I found the interior clean, well-maintained, and the seats spacious and comfortable. The overall in-flight experience was great, although, like most airlines, there are always areas where improvements could be made.

Small Touches That Left A Big Impression

Once we took off, I was pleasantly surprised by two things:

First, Skyward Airlines has an in-flight magazine called Angani. I was genuinely impressed — the content is actually really good. Naturally, I checked the publisher and saw it’s produced by Land & Marine, the same team behind many other in-flight magazines in East Africa and beyond. Angani (which means “sky” in Kiswahili) is a fitting name and a quality publication that reflects well on the airline.

Second, we received some refreshments — water, juice, and a couple of digestive biscuits. This may seem modest, but it’s a meaningful touch, especially when you consider that typically more expensive low-cost carriers like Jambojet charge for such items and even for checked baggage — and they don’t operate jet aircraft like Skyward does.

Although we departed Nairobi slightly behind schedule, the flight to Mombasa was fast and smooth which meant we arrived on time.

Skyward’s Fleet, Rebrand & Regional Ambitions

According to the in-flight magazine I read during the flight, Skyward Airlines has undergone a complete rebrand from Skyward Express, updating its visual identity, name, and logo. They now operate a fleet of 16 aircraft, including Fokker 50s, 70s, and 100s, as well as a range of Dash 8 series turboprops (Q100, Q200, Q300, Q400). They’ve expanded their footprint to include regional destinations like Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and fly from both Wilson Airport and JKIA, enhancing connectivity across Kenya and beyond.

This transformation is more than cosmetic. The fact that they have jet aircraft, a premium inflight magazine, and a clear focus on reliability and comfort, Skyward Airlines is setting itself apart in a highly competitive market. Their new domestic lounge at Wilson Airport, 11 destinations, and continued fleet investment show a business that’s clearly scaling, fast — and doing it right.

Wrapping Up: A Skyward Perspective

Ultimately, for an indigenous Kenyan airline, Skyward Airlines is one to watch. They’ve made impressive strides in recent years, and their growth trajectory suggests they’re doing quite a few things right — especially as they attract a growing number of passengers across Kenya, East Africa, and beyond.

As I settled into APRA 2025 and the conversations throughout the event, it’s encouraging to see a homegrown Kenyan and East African airline delivering a quality experience that’s both competitive and aspirational — much like the communications industry went to help shape at APRA 2025 earlier this week.