Kenya Airways has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2035, signalling the national carrier's most significant capacity growth strategy in more than a decade. The announcement came as the airline honoured its top-performing travel agency partners during the Kenya Travel Agents Engagement & Awards 2026 in Nairobi, underscoring the critical role of the travel trade in driving its commercial growth.
The airline plans to increase its fleet from the current 32 aircraft to 67 by 2030 before reaching 100 aircraft by 2035, a move expected to support projected passenger growth from 5.2 million to nine million over the same period.
The expansion follows the return of Kenya Airways' Boeing 777 to service on 17 July after a decade-long absence, with the 400-seat aircraft now operating on the Nairobi-London Heathrow route as the carrier strengthens its long-haul capacity.
The expansion marks a major milestone in Kenya Airways' long-term growth strategy as it continues rebuilding capacity and positioning itself to capture rising demand for air travel across Africa and international markets. The carrier is also strengthening its network through codeshare and interline partnerships, extending its reach across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Captain George Kamal said the airline's future would continue to be built on strong partnerships with the travel trade as Kenya Airways approaches its 50-year milestone.
"As Kenya Airways approaches our 50-year milestone, our future success will continue to be built through strong relationships and shared success with the travel trade. Travel trade partners are our largest distribution channel in Kenya, contributing approximately 60 per cent of our passenger revenue, and we see our growth and yours as one journey," he said.
The awards recognised travel agencies for their performance during the 2025 calendar year across 35 categories, celebrating excellence in revenue contribution, market share, regional sales and year-on-year growth. BCD Travel Limited, trading as Highlight Travel, emerged as the Top Revenue Contributor, while Hemingways Travel and Satguru Tours & Travel Limited were named first and second runners-up respectively. Incentive Travel Limited received the Top Travel Marketing Company by Market Share award, Elite Travel Services was recognised as the Corporate Revenue Leader, and Ramani Travel Solution Limited was named the year's Most Improved Partner by revenue growth.
Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu said the airline remains committed to deepening collaboration with the travel trade by improving distribution tools and creating greater commercial value for its partners.
"Our relationship with the travel trade is built on trust, consistency, and a shared commitment to growing the market in ways that benefit our customers, our business, and the wider economy. This event is a statement of intent that we value your contribution, and we are committed to growing with you in a way that is practical, respectful, and commercially meaningful," he said.
According to Kenya Airways, travel agents account for approximately 60 per cent of the airline's passenger revenue, making them its largest distribution channel. The annual engagement forms part of the carrier's broader strategy to strengthen its distribution network and grow market share as it scales up operations following a period of extensive scheduled maintenance across its Dreamliner fleet.