African Express Airways
A privately owned Kenyan scheduled airline linking East Africa and the Horn of Africa, with an 11-destination network spanning five countries.
About African Express Airways
African Express Airways is a privately owned Kenyan scheduled airline founded in 1986. Headquartered in Nairobi and identified by the IATA code XU and ICAO code AXK, it has developed a regional role connecting communities across East Africa and the Horn of Africa. Its services include both Kenyan domestic sectors and international routes serving neighbouring markets and the Arabian Peninsula.
The airline operates 22 routes covering 11 destinations across five countries. Berbera has the largest number of departures in its network, followed by Nairobi, Galcaio, Bossaso and Mombasa. Other served cities include Mogadishu, Wajir, Dubai, Entebbe, Moroni and Sharjah. This network combines regional links with longer international sectors, including the nonstop service between Berbera and Sharjah.
Aircraft types associated with African Express Airways include the Boeing and McDonnell Douglas DC-9, McDonnell Douglas MD-82 and Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia. These are established short-haul and medium-haul designs suited to regional operations, although cabin layouts and onboard facilities can differ by aircraft. Travellers should confirm the service class, seat conditions, baggage allowance and onboard inclusions applying to their particular flight.
African Express Airways does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. It also has no clearly documented proprietary frequent-flyer programme, so passengers should not assume that flights qualify for mileage earning, alliance lounge access or elite benefits. Any loyalty credit, connecting-baggage arrangement or ticket protection offered through another airline or travel agency should be verified before departure.
A notable strength is the airline's coverage of regional cities that have fewer nonstop options than major African hubs. Its varied, comparatively mature fleet and operations across several developing aviation markets can create differences in schedule reliability and passenger experience. Travellers should reconfirm flights, leave ample time between separate tickets and avoid tightly timed onward arrangements, particularly on routes with limited weekly frequencies.
Good to know
Flying with African Express Airways — what to expect
Reconfirm Your Flight
Regional schedules can change, so confirm the departure time and airport with African Express Airways or your booking agent shortly before travel.
Check Baggage Terms
Baggage allowances may differ by route, fare and aircraft. Follow the entitlement printed on your ticket and obtain advance approval for oversized or unusually heavy items.
Allow Connection Time
Build a generous buffer into connections, especially when combining separate tickets. Another airline may not protect your onward journey if an African Express Airways flight is delayed.
Expect Varied Aircraft
Services may use DC-9, MD-82 or Embraer EMB-120 aircraft, so seating and cabin storage can vary. Pack essential items in a compact bag that can be accommodated easily.
Plan Airport Check-In
Arrive well ahead of departure and be prepared to complete check-in at the airport. Do not assume that online check-in is available for every route.
Network overview
Where African Express Airways flies
African Express Airways operates 22 routes to 11 destinations across 5 countries, its longest sector reaching Berbera to Sharjah (1,994 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities African Express Airways flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Berbera → Sharjah
1,994 km · BBO → SHJ
The longest sector in the African Express Airways network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by African Express Airways
Notable destinations on African Express Airways's network.
XUBerberadirectXUMogadishudirectXUNairobidirectXUBossasodirectXUGalcaiodirectXUMombasadirectXUWajirdirectXUDubaidirectXUEntebbedirectXUMoronidirectXUSharjahdirectDestination list is indicative of African Express Airways's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Kenya
Other airlines based in Kenya
FAQ
African Express Airways — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- The busiest departure airports by number of routes are Berbera, Nairobi, Galcaio, Bossaso and Mombasa, in that order. These airports anchor much of the airline's regional network.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. The displayed options can therefore be compared without an additional Originfacts booking charge.
- A definitive system-wide carry-on size is not consistently published. Check the allowance shown on your ticket and confirm it before departure, as cabin storage varies between the airline's aircraft types.
- The longest African Express Airways route is Berbera to Sharjah, about 1,994 km nonstop. It links Somaliland with the United Arab Emirates.
- African Express Airways serves Berbera, Mogadishu, Nairobi, Bossaso, Galcaio, Mombasa, Wajir, Dubai, Entebbe, Moroni and Sharjah. Its network covers domestic Kenyan services and international links across East Africa, the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
- Berbera is the airline's busiest departure point by number of routes. Nairobi remains its headquarters and an important operating base, with Galcaio, Bossaso and Mombasa also serving as significant departure airports.
- African Express Airways serves exactly 11 destinations across five countries. It operates 22 routes within that network.
- There is no consistently cheapest day to book. Compare several departure dates and book once your plans are firm, since limited frequencies on some routes can reduce the availability of lower fares.