Kenya Airways (KQ) has assured passengers that it expects to have its entire fleet back in operation by January 2027, as rising demand prompts the national carrier to consider adding another Boeing 777-300ER among four more aircraft it plans to acquire on lease.
Group Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) George Kamal made the remarks on Wednesday, August 19, during a media roundtable at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, saying that having all its aircraft back in operation would give the airline confidence to compete in the African and global aviation markets.
"By January 2027, we expect to have the full Kenya Airways fleet back. Once we have our fleet back, we will be able to compete," he revealed.
KQ is now looking to lease another Boeing 777-300ER to build on the demand witnessed when the widebody passenger jet returned to service in mid-July. The aircraft was initially deployed on the Nairobi-Mombasa route, where it attracted significant attention from passengers and aviation enthusiasts before being moved to the lucrative Nairobi-London Heathrow route.
Vantage Ke has established that KQ is banking on adding another 400-seat passenger jet that would provide backup in the event the existing 777-300ER undergoes maintenance or is unexpectedly grounded.
"We are looking to lease a 777-300ER to be able to increase our capacity but also replace our plane during maintenance or any emergency grounding," Kamal said.
The Boeing 777-300ER currently operates on the Nairobi-London Heathrow route, with revenue from the service helping cover the aircraft's operational costs.
According to quick spot checks, the direct maintenance cost for a mid-life Boeing 777-300ER is approximately $3,000 to $4,000 per flight hour, equivalent to about Ksh388,000 to Ksh518,000. Based on a typical schedule of around 292 flight hours per month, this translates to roughly $876,000 to $1.17 million, or Ksh113 million to Ksh151 million, in monthly maintenance costs, using an exchange rate of about Ksh129.40 per US dollar.
The high demand on the Nairobi-London Heathrow route necessitated the deployment of the gigantic aircraft, which was previously subleased to Turkish Airlines about 10 years ago under the "Operation Pride" turnaround strategy. The move was intended to cut excess capacity and improve the carrier's financial position.
KQ Plans Two Boeing 737-800s
The airline's fleet expansion does not stop there. KQ is also planning to acquire two Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft before the end of 2026, signalling its readiness to tackle high passenger demand on routes connecting travellers to and from its Nairobi hub, particularly during the festive season.
The aircraft can carry between 162 and 189 passengers depending on their configuration and will be used to increase Kenya Airways' available capacity on short- and medium-haul routes.
The planned expansion comes as the airline continues to grapple with limited aircraft availability, even as passenger demand remains strong. "We have demand; every route we deploy…it’s full, so we need the aircraft as soon as possible,” Kamal said.
The airline is awaiting delivery of two Boeing 737 aircraft, while another two that were due for delivery in April were rejected after failing inspection tests, according to Kamal.
KQ Eyes Bigger Share of JKIA Cargo Market
Beyond passenger operations, Kenya Airways is also looking to strengthen its cargo business by expanding its freighter fleet and increasing its share of goods moving through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, where it mainly operates.
According to Kamal, KQ plans to lease two freighters — a Boeing 767 and a Boeing 777 — with the aircraft expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2027. The two freighters are expected to increase the airline's cargo capacity from the current 70 tonnes a day, as KQ targets an increase in its share of the JKIA cargo market from about 11 per cent to 40 per cent.
During an engagement with local and international journalists and content creators at the Aviation Media Lab on Friday, May 29, Kamal revealed that cargo had become one of the airline's most important revenue streams at a time when passenger profits remained extremely low.
KQ Faces Global Supply Chain Pressure
On its revenues and operations, Kamal said the airline was also grappling with delayed aircraft parts deliveries, reduced aircraft availability and rising global inflation. While the global backlog in aircraft supplies is affecting many operators, he noted that Kenya Airways' relatively small fleet of 40 aircraft meant it was being severely affected by the shortages.
KQ is expected to release its half-year financial results for 2026 next week, with attention likely to focus on whether the airline's fleet recovery and expansion plans are beginning to ease pressure on its financial performance. The 49-year-old airline last year reported a pre-tax loss of Ksh17.93 billion ($138.56 million) on lower revenues, following a rare profit in the previous period.
For KQ, the return of its full fleet — coupled with the planned addition of more passenger and cargo aircraft — could mark a critical phase in its efforts to restore capacity and strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive African aviation market.
