Air France has increased capacity on its Paris-Nairobi route by about 12 per cent as rising visitor arrivals strengthen Kenya’s tourism demand.

Air France-KLM General Manager for East and Southern Africa Joris Holtus said the airline deployed larger aircraft in May.

The expansion matters to Kenya because international aviation supports businesses that depend on visitor spending, Holtus said in an opinion article.

“It also enhances trade and investment by connecting Kenya to markets beyond tourism,” Holtus said.

Holtus cited Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data showing 584,825 visitor arrivals between February and April 2026 against 539,044 during the same period in 2025.

That represented an increase of 8.5 per cent over the comparable period, according to the figures cited in his article.

European destinations including Paris, Amsterdam and London accounted for 217,633 arrivals or 37.2 per cent of the total in the cited data.

Holtus also cited a Central Bank of Kenya survey showing forward bookings for August through November rose to 56.25 per cent.

The comparable figure a year earlier was 49.5 per cent, according to the survey figures presented in the article.

Tourism earnings reached Ksh564 billion after an 18.7 per cent increase, Holtus said without specifying the reporting period.

Average spending per tourist reached Ksh204,300 and stood at its highest level in five years, according to Holtus.

He said these indicators pointed to greater economic value from each arrival and an opportunity for airlines to improve access to Kenya.

Holtus said more direct routes and greater frequency could make Kenya accessible to markets previously difficult or expensive to reach.

He said additional capacity could also encourage repeat visits and support travellers combining several destinations within a single trip.

The argument links airline investment to changing traveller preferences, with Holtus saying convenience increasingly matters alongside the destination itself.

Holtus said the benefits extended beyond Nairobi to other tourism hubs in East Africa through the distribution of international visitors.

He identified hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers and retailers among businesses supported by international aviation and visitor spending.

Holtus said continued demand growth would require airlines to respond through additional capacity and networks over the longer term.

Air France resumed flights to Kenya eight years ago after an 18-year break, according to Holtus.

The airline has also added Nairobi flights and will maintain the increased capacity throughout the 2026 summer season, he said.