NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Airways said Monday it plans to launch direct flights to Somali capital Mogadishu from Thursday as part of expansion to the Horn of Africa region.

Sebastian Mikosz, chief executive officer of Kenya Airways, said the airline will fly seven times weekly as it seeks to enhance intra-Africa air connectivity linking cities and facilitating movement of people, and thereby enhancing social and economic ties between the countries.

"The addition of this route to our network demonstrates our commitment to improving connectivity on the African continent, while creating new opportunities for corporates investors, traders and tourists," Mikosz said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

He said that the daily flight is aimed at meeting the growing travel demand by Somali travelers, government and non-government organization officials and a growing number of entrepreneurs from Kenya and around the region who are keen on seeking opportunities in the country.

According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the Horn of Africa nation is positioned as one of the largest export markets for Kenya.

In 2017, exports to Somalia increased by 33.5 percent, which equates to a value of some 10.7 billion Kenyan Shillings (about 107 million U.S. dollars).

Mikosz said the flight operated by Jambojet is scheduled to depart Nairobi at about 7:40 a.m. and depart Aden Adde International Airport, Mogadishu at 10:45 a.m. to arrive back in Nairobi at 1:00 p.m.

"We want to extend our network reach and make it convenient for our guests who work and invest in Somalia," he said.

With the demand for travel by traders to Somalia through Nairobi increasing, the launch of this route is expected to ease travel between the two cities that are the focal points of business in the two countries and spur commercial activities.