M aking tracks for Madagascar? Travelling from East Africa to this unique island nation will become a whole lot easier from 1st November 2008, when KQ will be launching flights from Nairobi to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Flight KQ464 will leave Nairobi at 8am local time and arrive in Antananarivo at 11.45am local time, returning ( as flight KQ464) from Antananarivo at 1.45pm and arriving back in Nairobi at 5.30pm. Flights will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays in November, and then also on Saturdays from December onwards. KQ CEO Titus Naikuni said that the flights have been ' timed to provide msafiri 163 IN THIS ISSUE n 163 NEWS Kq's new route to madagascar n 164 meet kq's senior management n 170 two new planes for KQ's fleet n 172 kenya's organic revolution n 174 COL KIDS deserts – fun facts and jokes n 176 INFLIGHT INFORMATION How to make your journey easier n 178 HEALTHY TRAVELLING How to stay fresh and relaxed in the air & on your holiday n 180 CONTACTS Complete listings of KQ ofices and agents worldwide n 184 FLYING BLUE check out the benefits of joining our frequent flyer programe n 186 ROUTES Kenya, Africa and worldwide maps, with this issue's spotlight on abidjan What's happening in the world of Kenya Airways SAFARINJEMA SAFARI NJEMA FIVE OF THE BEST Magnificent baobabs Readers of Travel News magazine have once again voted Kenya Airways their African Airline of Choice in this year's " Quest for the Best" awards. The magazine awards, which have been running since 1998, are voted for entirely by readers, and salute excellence in various fields of tourism. Over 5,000 readers voted KQ the best continental, regional and local Putting Madagascar on the map optimal connectivity with our Nairobi hub,' adding that this route is expected to ' reduce travel time by more than 50%, especially for passengers coming from Europe and the rest of the African continent.' The world's fourth largest island, Madagascar is one of the world's great ecological treasure houses: home to 5% of all the world's plant and animal species, of which 80% are endemic to the country – a unique slice of biodiversity resulting from the island's long separation from neighbouring landmasses, which has allowed unique species to evolve here in isolation, most famously the island's wide- eyed lemurs. The country has a similar diverse human character, with a unique mix of Malay, Polynesian and African peoples and culture. Economically, the island is an important producer of coffee, cloves, and is also the world's leading producer and exporter of vanilla – a key ingredient in Coca- Cola. Other growth areas include textile and light manufacturing, mining and, not surprising, given the country's almost limitless potential, tourism. Kenya Airways is one of Africa's leading transcontinental carriers, currently serving over 2.7 million passengers annually with flights to 43 destinations in 36 countries, including 20 cities across Africa, as well as select destinations in Europe and Asia. Kenya Airways starts flights to Antananarivo, Madagascar KQ scoops five awards in this year's ' Quest for the Best' airline respectively. Flying Blue, the airline's frequent flyer program run jointly with KLM, and msafiri, KQ's inflight magazine, were also rated the best in their respective categories. The awards were presented to KQ during the Skål dinner held in Mombasa on 22nd August 2008. The guest of honour was Tourism Minister Hon. Najib Balala. On hand to receive the awards was the CEO of KQ, Titus Naikuni, Commercial Director Richard Nuttall, and the Mombasa KQ team. NICK GARBUTT quest for the best