Kenya Airways Thursday launched direct flights to Ndola, Zambia.

And as an incentive to passengers intending to use the route, the company made an introductory offer of US$ 44 return airfare for flights to Ndola taken by September 26, 2009 or flights to Nairobi taken by October 26, 2009.

This is the 44th route to be launched by the national carrier to date.

"The direct flights to Ndola will enable easy access to Zambia's famous copperbelt region, promote tourism and provide an alternative avenue for exportation of products," Kenya Airways Managing Director and CEO Dr Titus Naikuni said.

He said the route will serve to connect London, Mumbai, Accra, Dubai, Nairobi, Hong Kong and New Delhi.

"Travellers on this route are expected to benefit greatly from the superb connections that KQ's network provides to destinations across Africa, the middle and far-East and Europe through its hub at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport," said Naikuni.

There will be twice weekly flights departing the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) every Thursday and Saturday.

"The route will add frequencies to Zambia where Kenya Airways already operates daily flights to Lusaka and strengthen business relationship between Kenya and Zambia," KQ chairman Evanson Mwaniki said.

The Ndola route adds to the latest KQ network expansion with recent additions being Congo-Brazaville and Libreville launched in March and June this year respectively.

Currently Kenya Airways operates three daily schedules to Johannesburg, South Africa and double dailies to Lusaka, Zambia, 10 flights a week to Lilongwe, Malawi and Harare, Zimbabwe and three weekly flights to Maputo, Mozambique.

Zambian High Commissioner to Kenya Mrs Christna Msadabwe Lambart said the launch was a "positive development" which would have greater economic prospects for both Zambia and Kenya as well as save time for business travelers.

Early this month, the airline launched the Gaborone, Botswana route.