Kenya Airways to fly Angola route
Africa Business Review (http://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/sectors/air-freight/kenya-airways-fly-angola-route)
July 2010

http://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/sites/default/files/imagecache/Slideshow_656x400/Kenya.airways.b777-200er.5y-kyz.arp%5B1%5D.jpg

Kenya Airways celebrates the launch of Luanda, Angola, its 50th worldwide destination for $50 inclusive of all taxes

Following the successful approval of landing rights from the Angolan authorities, customers will be able to fly with Kenya Airways nonstop every Tuesday and Friday to one of the most dynamic cities in Africa.

The announcement comes shortly after the 33-year old airline started flights to Juba in Southern Sudan in June.

The new offer is available at Kenya Airways sales offices and will be in action from August 17.

Kenya Airways’ Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr Titus Naikuni, said that the addition is a major milestone for its growing African network. “Angola is our 50th destination and the 41st in Africa, making us the forerunners in connecting Africa to Africa and the world,” he said.

Dr Naikuni noted that the airline expected the new route to serve traders, corporates, leisure travelers and prospective travel public at large.

The flight will be operated as a code share with TAAG Angolan Airlines between Luanda and Nairobi, providing connections that will offer a better way to fly from Angola to the rest of the world and vice versa.

The service will provide seamless connections at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) hub in Nairobi and vast city pairs offered by the carrier.

Kenya Airways also announced the appointment of Belchix Company as its Representative in Angola.

KQ unveils new plane for Coast route
Business Daily (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/KQ%20unveils%20new%20plane%20for%20Coast%20route/-/539550/974566/-/item/1/-/96yldrz/-/index.html)
August 2010

http://cdn.wn.com/ph/img/ff/fd/6100093d4eb41c280ce89a02c7f8-grande.jpg
National flag carrier Kenya Airways has added another plane on the Mombasa-Nairobi route aiming to tap new revenue that is coming from increased demand for passenger services in the domestic market.

KQ is betting on the additional aircraft, a Boeing 737-300 to defend its share of the market that has been under serious attack from local rivals.

“Due to high demand on these routes, our passengers will use the new aircraft which still has KLM colours. Within the next two months the aircraft will spot the official KQ branding,” said the KQ’s chief operating officer, Bram Steller, who received the plane.

Increased competition ate into Kenya Airways’ domestic market share, with passenger numbers dropping six per cent compared to a similar quarter last year.

The airline transported 112,020 passengers in that period, reflecting a six per cent dip even as the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) reported improved domestic travel this year.

According to KQ, adding the plane is in line with its strategy to increase the level of efficiency on the domestic and regional routes including offering passengers more choice in flying times and frequency.

The development comes after Kenya Airways ordered two Embraer 190 aircraft, expected to be delivered early next year and the recent expansion of the Embraer fleet to five after the airline acquired two additional aircraft last month, boosting its fleet to a total 28 planes.

Steller noted that the airline was keenly pursuing a fleet expansion plan that will support its route network growth especially in the African region, with new destinations like Luanda which begins next week.

“With Nairobi fast growing as the East and Central African aviation hub, we expect a profound growth in demand for Kenya Airways as the hub carrier to open up more new cities and increase frequencies on the existing ones with more flights,” he pointed out.

The national carrier lost the market share to local rivals, including Fly 540, Air Kenya, Safarilink and ALS who have boosted their presence in the local market with more frequent flights and new routes.

Kenya Airways’ decision to withdraw from some domestic routes such as Lamu and Malindi because of difficulties in landing could have also hit passenger numbers.

Kenya accounts for at least four per cent of the national carrier’s revenue, which means that a drop in domestic passenger numbers is unlikely to hurt its overall earnings since other routes recorded growths.

Highest growth

The airline, however, said it recorded a four per cent rise in passenger numbers to 666,658 with the European route posting the highest growth at 16 per cent.

The airline posted a pre-tax profit of Sh2.67 billion in the full-year ending March 2010, compared to the Sh5.66 billion loss recorded the previous year.

The move back to profitability was due to gains made on fuel hedging that amounted to Sh6.1 billion.

Kenya Airways has been facing major competition as domestic airlines aggressively move to increase flights and destinations.

Fly 540 recently announced new routes including Nanyuki, Amboseli, Lewa Downs and Samburu besides connecting Mombasa to these tourist areas.

But the airline has concentrated more on African expansion, which accounts for at least 45 per cent of its revenues.

In the first quarter, 366,225 passengers in the region used the airline, a three per cent growth compared to the previous year.

Kenya Airways also increased capacity and flights to capitalise on the World Cup that was held in South Africa between June and July.

^^
Nice. Does that mean there are now 11 daily flights to Mombasa?

I believe so!

Good news for travelers: more planes = more competition = lower fares :)

Kenya Airways starts flights to Luanda
Daily Nation (http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Kenya%20Airways%20starts%20flights%20to%20Luanda/-/1006/978212/-/xocrll/-/)
17 August 2010

http://www.nation.co.ke/image/view/-/978214/highRes/186150/-/maxw/600/-/onj8wp/-/EA-KQ.jpg
Kenya Airways has commenced flights to Luanda, Angola giving travellers direct access to the oil-rich nation.

It will operate the route on a code share agreement with Angolan Airlines (TAAG) twice a week.

As a developing country, Angola’s economy is being driven largely by its nascent oil and tourism industries and has been referred to as the 'Brazil of Africa’.

The start of flights marks an addition of the national carrier’s 50th destination globally and 41st in Africa.

According Mr Titus Naikuni, the group managing director and chief executive officer, Angola is an important destination for the airline because of its rising economic importance as a trading partner for several African and European countries.

Mr Naikuni said Kenya Airways will use the new route to serve business and leisure travellers within Africa and from outside the continent desirous of shorter connection time to rest of Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Far East through Nairobi.

“We are doing this by adding new aircraft and establishing additional frequencies on the high traffic routes to ensure we offer more alternative flights to our customers. We expect that by the end of the year, we will have taken delivery of two long-range Embraer 190LRs to serve our regional routes,” he explained.

I believe so!

Good news for travelers: more planes = more competition = lower fares :)

Just noticing how domestic flights are on the increase. Especially MSA-NBI-KSM.

KQ may cancel order for 9 planes
Daily Nation (http://www.nation.co.ke/News/KQ%20may%20cancel%20order%20for%209%20planes%20/-/1056/998980/-/pfdh20/-/)
17 August 2010

http://www.nation.co.ke/image/view/-/998982/highRes/189542/-/maxw/600/-/1160jbf/-/PIX1.jpg
Naikuni says a decision will be made if Boeing does not deliver before this year ends

Kenya Airways is mulling over cancelling orders for nine Boeing Dreamliners, an online publication has reported.

It would be a major blow to the aircraft maker as KQ says it is instead considering going to rival European Airbus for replacement.

Aviation website www.atwonline.com quoted CEO Titus Naikuni as saying the national carrier may cancel the order after learning that the US aircraft manufacturer was set to announce yet another delay in delivering the units.

Boeing 787, a fuel-efficient airplane, has been under development since 2004.

Last week, after Mr Naikuni had granted the interview, the manufacturer confirmed it would not deliver the planes before the first quarter of 2011. It had promised a delivery date of before year-end.

This is one of the many delays by the firm over engineering and labour issues.

“The delivery date revision follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall,” said the Boeing statement. “While Boeing works closely with Rolls-Royce to expedite engine availability, flight testing across the test fleet continues as planned.”

Mr Naikuni said he had opened talks with Airbus for acquisition of A330s.

“Yes, I would dare cancelling the order,” he said. “If they can’t deliver, we will cancel. We will take a decision (on whether to) go with Airbus or stay with Boeing before the end of the year.”

Kenya Airways is a valued customer of Boeing. Previously, it operated Airbus planes.

“We are mainly a Boeing operator, but it is possible to switch to Airbus,” he said.

KQ first ordered on March 2006 and expected deliveries of the initial two units next month.

It intends to use the 787s in its fleet upgrade and expansion plan. The Nairobi Stock Exchange-listed carrier wants to phase out old Boeing 767s.

Mr Naikuni says that retaining the ageing fleet is still an option but says this would require a costly upgrade.

He expressed disappointment that the US firm had failed to offer compensation for the delays while remaining non-committal on the possibility of footing the bill for retrofit of the older planes.

From DEC 16th Kenya Airways will operate a daily flight to Rome.:banana::banana:

Kenya Airways goes daily with B777 to Hong Kong and Lagos
eTN (http://www.eturbonews.com/18823/kenya-airways-goes-daily-b777-hong-kong-and-lagos)
30 September 2010

http://www.pilotcareercentre.com/static/images/ACD/452/W-Kenya%20Airways%20B777.jpg?633822942505406326
(eTN) - The Kenyan flag carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ), has just announced that they will go daily by the end of September from Nairobi to Hong Kong and Guangzhou, using a B777 aircraft, a substantial boost for passenger and cargo capacity and a sign that demand from across the airline’s African network is sharply up, justifying the daily flights on the largest aircraft KQ has on the fleet.

It was also learned last week that "the Pride of Africa" will, effective early October, begin to use their B777 for the flights from Nairobi to Lagos, tapping into an undoubtedly growing market potential in the Nigerian market. KQ connects Nigerians, and other West African countries, via Nairobi mainly into their destinations in the Middle East but also to the Far East and South East destinations like Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou, as well as through the Nairobi hub to the entire Eastern African destination range.

Improved cargo space on the B777 has also been long awaited on the route to Nigeria, as travelers in particular from and to Dubai are known to ship their "shopping" on the same flight, often exceeding the already generous baggage allowance for this destination and yet happily paying for the freight charges as long as all arrives with them when the fly back home.

On a different note, it is worth pointing out that this move has long been planned according to usually reliable sources from aviation experts close to the airline, but the delayed delivery of the B787s has thrown the proverbial spanners into the airline’s plans to expand capacity on high-density routes or, in fact, roll out new destinations at the pace it would have been possible, all courtesy of Boeing’s delays.

Meanwhile, it was also learned that Ethiopian Airlines will follow KQ’s example and add larger aircraft, once they have taken delivery of their new B777-200LR on flights to such destinations like Lagos and other of their African high density routes.

From DEC 16th Kenya Airways will operate a daily flight to Rome.:banana::banana:

Is that a new route for Kenya Airways?

BTW, Kenya Airways has one of the best livery in the continent.

KENYA AIRWAYS EXPANDS CAPACITY TO FAR EAST
NAIROBI, Oct 7 (NNN-KBC): National carrier, Kenya Airways has increased its capacity to the Far East in a move aimed at meeting the rising demand by businessmen especially those flying to Bangkok and China.

To increase the baggage capacity for the businessmen, Kenya Airways will now be flying a Boeing 777, the largest aircraft in its fleet which is capable of carrying 322 passengers, a marked improvement from the Boeing 767 aircraft with 216 seats that had been operating on the route previously.

Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer Bram Steller said that the additional capacity was expected to take care of the surge in business traffic and to give the airline an edge in attracting businessmen -and their excess baggage- from Africa.

Steller said the airline was well on course with the planned African route expansion program, with the Nampula city of Mozambique lined up next.

"We are looking at beginning the flights to Nampula in November after obtaining landing rights from the Mozambique aviation authorities", he said adding that the route would be served twice a week by an Embraer 170 aircraft.

Steller noted the other routes that Kenya Airways was looking at opening in the next few months included Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, Jeddah in the Saudi Arabia and N'djamena the capital city of Chad and Point Noire in Congo.

"We will provide further details about the respective services once we complete the preparations," he said.

He said Kenya Airways was keen to meet its new route opening targets before the end of the year and in addition add new narrow bodied long range Embraer with the ones ordered in the middle of the year expected to be delivered early next year. http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=135500

Kenya Airways in Winter 2010 season is launching 4 more new routes in Africa and the Middle East. These additional NEW destinations will be added each month between mid-November and early- February: Ouagadougou (Nov 2010), N’Djamena (Dec 2010), Pointe Noire (Jan 2011) and Jeddah (Feb 2011, service resumption).

In total, Kenya Airways is adding 6 destinations in Winter 2010/11 season.

Schedules of new flights, loaded on into the GDS system on Thursday 07OCT10, below:

Nairobi – Ouagadougou eff 19NOV10, service operates in conjunction with Cotonou
KQ546 NBO1505 – 1810OUA1900 – 2130COO2220 – 0535+1NBO 738 5
KQ548 NBO1520 – 1820COO1910 – 1940OUA2030 – 0535+1NBO 738 1

Nairobi – N’Djamena eff 01DEC10, service in conjunction with Cotonou
KQ544 NBO1730 – 2045COO2135 – 2255NDJ2350 – 0540+1NBO 73W 3
KQ560 NBO1730 – 1920NDJ2015 – 2135COO2225 – 0540+1NBO 73W 7

Cotonou overall service increase eff 19NOV10 from 3 to 5 weekly, eff 01DEC10 from 5 weekly to Daily

Nairobi – Pointe Noire eff 11JAN11
KQ564 NBO0740 – 0940PNR E70 246
KQ565 PNR1125 – 1715NBO E70 246

Nairobi – Jeddah eff 02FEB11
KQ330 NBO2100 – 0100+1JED 738 36
KQ331 JED0200 – 0600NBO 738 47

In addition, the Skyteam carrier in November 2010 is launching 2 weekly service to Nampula (posted on 28SEP10) in Mozambique and in December 2010 resuming service to Rome (posted on 21AUG10).

airlineroute.net/

Kenya Airways to fly to Rome
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (http://www.kbc.co.ke/news.asp?nid=67175)
October 2010

http://www.kbc.co.ke/images/pictures/kenya-airways%202.jpg
Kenya Airways plans to widen its route network in Europe after being granted the rights to fly to the Italian capital, Rome.

The route will be operated on a code share deal with the Italian SkyTeam's partner Alitalia Airlines.

The airline will also be resuming its flights to Malindi in Kenya's northern coast to connect the majority of tourists headed to the coastal town.

Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer Bram Steller termed the move timely as Italy was increasingly becoming a vital source of tourists into Kenya.

"We have seen Italy become the third highest ranked country whose citizens visit Kenya for holiday and it is only natural that we fly them to their most popular destination in Kenya, Malindi," he said.

"We are glad that the Italian aviation authorities have granted us the rights to land in Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport from December 13, 2010," he added.

In preparation for the opening of the Rome route Kenya Airways will start flights to Malindi on December 6 2010.

KQ flights to Rome will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays while flying six times a week to Malindi.

The Rome route will also be key in the airline's provision of flights to destinations connecting to south Europe.

"We are planning to initiate the route with a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft to Rome whilst Malindi will be served by the Embraer 170 jet," said Steller.

The Italian capital will be the most southerly entry point for Kenya Airways into Europe and is expected to tap into the lucrative Italian holiday market for Kenya while adding capacity for cargo business between the two countries without having to trans-ship via other European entry points.

Rome will be the 4th Kenya Airways European destination after Amsterdam, London and Paris.

aUsfs-ImUpU

WOW, kenya airways is expanding quick, and its becoming one of the premiere airlines, if its not already

Kenya Airways is still growing in leaps and abound.it is a good example of privatisation gone well. under the leadership of Titus Naikuni-it has really seen some exceptional growth.i think he's one of the few real ceo in kenya that can really lead a company to good numbers.if you have checkd their financial presentation-it is superb.it needs to improve its customer service.they also need to look for other options such as airbus 340.or the new 747-8 of which might be cheaper than the 787.opps the 747-8 has some delay issues too.Titus get the a340.

I like Kenya Airways' flight attendant uniforms. Now if only they were prejudice and only hired young, good looking women. Have you seen that Kenya Aiways ad on Daily Nation? With the three flight attendants? Those are the kind of girls that I am talking about. :cool:

these are the ones that I was talking about
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VmsqP2JYD6I/TLKw5lLSOGI/AAAAAAAAAdM/N0Eo55vuz00/s400/kenyaairwayscrew.jpg
:D

I like Kenya Airways' flight attendant uniforms. Now if only they were prejudice and only hired young, good looking women. Have you seen that Kenya Aiways ad on Daily Nation? With the three flight attendants? Those are the kind of girls that I am talking about. :cool:

these are the ones that I was talking about
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VmsqP2JYD6I/TLKw5lLSOGI/AAAAAAAAAdM/N0Eo55vuz00/s400/kenyaairwayscrew.jpg
:D

I know the "appeal" good looking girls bring but it comes with two potentially greater drawbacks-its unprofessional as you risk hiring lesser qualified girls just for eyes to feast on with resultant customer disatisfaction and lesser profits.
-its discriminatory against older more experienced girls already long at the company and discriminatory against potentially better applicants whose only drawback is their "cv" in a very subjective area.

This is off topic but a phrase caught my attention in the KQ pic above. Shouldn't yes in Kiswahili be Ndiyo, not ndio? Kiswahili gurus, where ya @?

Malaika you are a spotter....... Yes in swahili is Ndiyo......but modern philology believes it has evolved to Ndio so both are quite acceptable but with the latter being a classic "ancient".
therefor i rest my case that Ndiyo is the better word to use for a carrier that hails from the roots of swahili.

This is off topic but a phrase caught my attention in the KQ pic above. Shouldn't yes in Kiswahili be Ndiyo, not ndio? Kiswahili gurus, where ya @?

Spelling is Ndio, though it sounds like "Ndiyo" when spoken.

^^
Nice. Does that mean there are now 11 daily flights to Mombasa?

^^
BTW, daily flights to Mombasa are now 14.

http://www.airliners.nl/images2007/050508-KeniaAirways-5Y-KYZ%5B2%5D.jpg

http://www.airliners.nl/2009/100209-Kenia-Airways.jpg

Spelling is Ndio, though it sounds like "Ndiyo" when spoken.


Okey dokey. Thanks for the clarification.

Malaika you are a spotter....... Yes in swahili is Ndiyo......but modern philology believes it has evolved to Ndio so both are quite acceptable but with the latter being a classic "ancient".
therefor i rest my case that Ndiyo is the better word to use for a carrier that hails from the roots of swahili.

It actually should be Ndiyo if they meant YES. Ndio I believe partains to "they refference".(i.e Huyu ndio fundi wa saa). My take.

Actually it's not just a matter of spelling. Both 'ndio' and 'ndiyo' are correct spellings and application. Here is what The Kamusi Project has on it.

yes { Swahili : ndio }
pronoun [ photos: upload ]



yes it is so { Swahili : ndiyo ndiyo }
conjuction [ photos: upload ]



yes { Swahili : ndiyo }
interjection [ photos: upload ]

English Example: Yes, I speak a little Swahili.

Swahili Example: Ndiyo, ninasema Kiswahili kidogo.

[ note: http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/yes.htm#Kiswahili. ]

yes { Swahili : ndiyo, pl ndizo




Spelling is Ndio, though it sounds like "Ndiyo" when spoken.

I always thought it was spelled ndio.

I guess both are acceptable then, thanks my people for the input.

Fantastic shots Mwanamwiwa.............

xP8Y9N946kw

That's a nice advert. Titus Naikuni had said that by the end of last year they will have made a decision on whether to order airbus aircraft in reference to the delays to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, any word on that yet?

^^ I have no idea...

Fantastic shots Mwanamwiwa.............

Thanks.:)

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq42/Antonov-an124/Boeing777-KenyaAirways-5Y-KQS02.jpg

That's a nice advert. Titus Naikuni had said that by the end of last year they will have made a decision on whether to order airbus aircraft in reference to the delays to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, any word on that yet?
They were saying they would go for Airbus models but i'm not sure where they stand now!

if you anyone wants 3hrs of good hd video on kenya airways documentary....get on this link and get your copy and you will fall in love with kenya airways the pride of africa.
http://www.vikingaviationphoto.com/webshop/products/Kenya-Airways-B777%252d200ER.html

Kenya Airways to acquire nine 787-Dreamliners

Kenya Airways has signed a deal to acquire nine new 787-8 Dreamliners in 2013 as it plans to replace old fleets and expand to new markets.

The national carrier had previously signed signed an agreement with Boeing in 2006 to be supplied with the planes, which stipulated that the first aircraft be delivered in 2010.

The deal failed but after reaching an agreement on Thursday, the first Dreamliner plane will be delivered in the third quarter of 2013.

KQ chief executive officer Titus Naikuni, while signing the agreement, said that the new acquisition, though delayed was the investment needed to expand their market share.

The new aircrafts are expected to replace the ageing 767 fleet.

Boeing Africa sales director, Rob Faye noted that the new aircrafts have innovative interior environment, higher humidity, wider seats, aisles and larger windows.

The 787 planes carry between 200 to 300 passengers on routes between 6,500 to 16,000 kilometres.

The new planes will also accommodate 45 per cent cargo than the previous model.

Daily Nation (http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Kenya+Airways+to+acquire+nine+787+Dreamliners/-/1006/1144626/-/13ob1tdz/-/index.html)

B767-300ER :

http://i28.servimg.com/u/f28/11/28/71/03/cimg3410.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=1121&u=11287103)

Addis Ababa :

http://i28.servimg.com/u/f28/11/28/71/03/dscn0010.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=1122&u=11287103)

Kenya Airways to acquire nine 787-Dreamliners

Kenya Airways has signed a deal to acquire nine new 787-8 Dreamliners in 2013 as it plans to replace old fleets and expand to new markets.

The national carrier had previously signed signed an agreement with Boeing in 2006 to be supplied with the planes, which stipulated that the first aircraft be delivered in 2010.

The deal failed but after reaching an agreement on Thursday, the first Dreamliner plane will be delivered in the third quarter of 2013.

KQ chief executive officer Titus Naikuni, while signing the agreement, said that the new acquisition, though delayed was the investment needed to expand their market share.

The new aircrafts are expected to replace the ageing 767 fleet.

Boeing Africa sales director, Rob Faye noted that the new aircrafts have innovative interior environment, higher humidity, wider seats, aisles and larger windows.

The 787 planes carry between 200 to 300 passengers on routes between 6,500 to 16,000 kilometres.

The new planes will also accommodate 45 per cent cargo than the previous model.

Daily Nation (http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Kenya+Airways+to+acquire+nine+787+Dreamliners/-/1006/1144626/-/13ob1tdz/-/index.html)

^^
2013 seems to be KQ's target year. Apart from receiving the dreamliners, that's the year they plan to fly to every capital and economic hub on the continent.

Yeah Kenya Airways is on a roll. I remember some users here in the africa section saying how african airlines (KQ, Ethiopian, etc.) were going to drop their boeing orders due to the delays. I was shaking my head the entire time...

Besides I don't see why any african carrier would need that A380 beast. The smaller/efficient dreamliner is a great fit, imo.

^^ I wonder which airline in Africa would be the first to acquire the Super Jumbo(A380).Boeing is messing up with all the delays, I think some airlines have already canceled their orders

Probably one of the larger ones w/ destinations across the continent and in Europe, Asia, etc. KQ has flights between Bangkok-HK-Nairobi in Asia (and probably more I don't know), and various cities it flies to in Africa and some parts of Europe..So it could be a strong contender for the A380. Still, seeing as most african airlines really aren't that big yet, I don't see a reason to buy the jumbo jet, well at least no more than a few.

Boeing has had problems w/ delaying orders, but in the end I think the wait will be worth it. The first dreamliners are expected to be delivered this year, so not that much longer to wait.

http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/1173318/-/50x2rbz/-/index.html

Pretty good performance.
rJt_0it4wsA

@ HKG
Source : http://pic.feeyo.com/posts/538/5384767.html

http://pic.feeyo.com/pic/20110718/201107181202583030.jpg

^^ Nice one!

nice picture hkskyline...well taken picture. eddeux...i am not sure the dreamliners will be coming this year.earlier this year i think kenya signed an agreement to keep waiting for the dreamliners.kenya airways is still back in the line.their delivery contracts do provide compensation for aggravated airlines,backing out of the contract with little or no penalties or renegotiate for lower prices. the dreamliner delays has cost boeing alot of money and its still costing it money upto today.boeing will try the best to get this planes on targets since they have missed the target by 3yrs.

Anybody know if the redeveloped JKIA airport plan will have an indoor waiting area for those departing?All other big airports have huge seating areas indoors and i just find it inexcussable JKIA having so many passengers outside like on this video at 5:25.
kERrh0txMrc

i think with the new terminal built it will address the issues you mentioned.i don't think passengers and visitors alike have to be standing outside to get to the desks.its an issue they will keep dealing with as they come with the new airport

amboseli, i think the issues we will be address with the new terminal.lack of space is what the airport is lacking.kaa has not really fully opened/exploited the potential of this gem.i have said several times the management is wanting very seriously at kaa-political interference is affecting it bigtime.time will tell if they will fully exploit its potential.we need thousands to be employed at the airport.

I will be flying tomorrow from Nai to Bangkok with KQ, what plane go they use and how is the business class service? thanks

I've heard rumors that Kenya Airways may serve São Paulo, Brazil, in the near future (maybe in december/2011). Is it true?

I will be flying tomorrow from Nai to Bangkok with KQ, what plane go they use and how is the business class service? thanks

Boeing 767,i have no idea how the business class is.I flew economy.:)

I will be flying tomorrow from Nai to Bangkok with KQ, what plane go they use and how is the business class service? thanks
http://www.gifsoup.com/view7/2847531/kq777-o.gif

They use either Boeing 777-200ER or Boeing 767-300ER :dunno:

Safari njema. :wave:

Expanding Kenya Airways to lease two 777s from GECAS

Kenya Airways signed a letter of intent with GECAS for the lease of two new Boeing 777-300ERs as part of its long-term expansion plan, Group MD Titus Naikuni revealed to ATW on the sidelines of the Connectivity in Africa conference organized by Embraer in Nairobi. The new -300ERs are in addition to its Dreamliner order and are expected to be delivered at the end of 2012-early 2013 if the contract is firmed, he said.

KQ would use the widebodies on new routes to India and other points in the Far East as well as Dubai. Traffic rights are no issue, he said, noting KQ has the rights to Delhi and is in talks regarding Mumbai. Kenya and UAE have an open skies agreement.

The airline operates four 777-200s in a two-class configuration with 320 seats. “We have not yet decided on the configuration of the -300ERs but seat density will be higher than our -200s,” he said. KQ’s first 787s are slated to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2013. “I pray to God Boeing will not change [the delivery schedule] again,” he commented (ATW Daily News, June 24).

Naikuni also confirmed the company concluded an agreement for a 747-400F and is looking at two 737Fs. The second-hand 747 is leased and is expected to start flying with the KQ livery in October. A team is inspecting the two 737Fs “for the moment. Then we will make a decision and we expect to have them in September.”

KQ recently signed a LOI for 10 Embraer E-jets with a further 10 options (ATW Daily News, June 21). It currently operates two E-190s and five E-170s in a two-class configuration. Two new E-190s, with seat-back IFE in both classes, will join its growing fleet before year end. The airline is using the E-jets on thin routes and new routes in Africa. “When you open a new route in Africa you traditionally go in with a single frequency. We realized this was not a good service. The E-jets allow us to have a high frequency,” he noted.

The airline is moving ahead with its plan to add seven new destinations this year and seven next year as part of its long-term strategy to “unlock Africa” by flying to capital cities across the continent by the end of 2013. KQ commenced twice-weekly 737 service to Ouagadougou last week, its ninth destination in West Africa. While most new routes will be in Africa, KQ has Beirut and Jeddah mapped as new routes. JED has been on its wish list for a while, “but slots are a problem,” he said. “They have offered slots which do not fit well in our schedule. We are negotiating.”

The KQ CEO reiterated his call for more aviation liberalization and privatization on the continent, allowing for more intra-African cooperation and eventually mergers. “Ethiopian is an airline that I admire a lot, but they are state-owned. It is difficult to forge cooperation with them,” he admitted. “My advice to Africa is: Governments get out of [airline] ownership.” He pointed out there are “still governments in Africa that dictate where their airline will fly and it does not matter for them if they transport air or passengers.”

KQ is one of the few privately owned and profitable airlines in Africa. It posted a KES3.5billion ($41.8 million) net profit in its fiscal year ended March 31 (ATW Daily News, June 3). The company is looking to increase capital to support its ambitious growth plan; management will present details next week.

ATW (http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/expanding-kenya-airways-lease-two-777s-gecas-0721)

Kenya Airways signs deal to buy 10 aeroplanes

Kenya Airways is set to buy 10 new aircraft to support its aggressive expansion plan it is counting on to drive its profitability in an increasingly difficult operating environment.

The national carrier on Monday signed a letter of intent — subject to a final agreement — for the acquisition of the Embraer 190 jets at the ongoing International Paris Air Show with the first delivery expected in the second half of next year in a deal that includes options for another 10 aircraft.

Though the airline declined to give the actual value of the deal, it is estimated to be about Sh40 billion according to Tuesday’s foreign exchange rates given that Embraer—the company selling the aircraft — listed the price at about Sh3.8 billion per aircraft.

“As we continue to focus on the expansion of our network with longer routes from our hub in Nairobi, the acquisition of new Embraer 190s is key to our growth strategy,” said Kenya Airways’ managing director Titus Naikuni in a statement. “The E190 jet fits well with our expansion strategy, giving us an opportunity to expand our network and increase our frequencies.”

The deal will add fresh impetus to the ongoing battle for African travellers pitting Kenya Airways, Ethiopia Airlines and South African Airlines given that fewer aircraft have been cited as the major impediment to KQ’s expansion plans.

It also signals Kenya airways shifting preference towards the cheaper Brazilian aircraft while cooling off debate over the rivalry between Boeing and Airbus, which Kenya Airways was planning to turn to following delay in the delivery nine Boeing planes commonly known as Dreamliners.


The airline is planning to open at least eight new routes this financial year among other rafts of strategies to grow its passenger numbers including Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Beirut in Lebanon. Other routes on its radar include Abuja in Nigeria, Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro, Port Louis in Mauritius and Asmara in Eritrea.

This comes at a time when the government has set aside Sh5.5 billion to defend its stake in the national carrier, during the planned sale of airline’s shares later this year — projected to be as large as Sh23 billion — to give it the financial muscle to support capital expenditure.

According to the statement, the E-jets will be configured in a dual-class layout with 96 seats, 12 in business class and 84 in economy class, which will create about 960 additional air seats to its current 4,925 passenger capacity, which is critical for its profitability as airfares account for the lion’s share of its revenue.

The airline, which is also expecting another delivery of three E190 jets before the end of next year has been operating seven E-jets since 2006 under agreements with leasing companies.

[B]With the projected order, the total number of E-jets ordered by Kenya Airways comes to 20, considering aircraft acquired directly from Embraer or through leasing companies.

“The combination of the E170 and E190 in the Pride of Africa’s network will offer greater flexibility in right-sizing the aircraft to meet route demand, using the same crew and ensuring consistent, high comfort for the passengers,” said Paulo César de Souza e Silva, Embraer President, commercial aviation.

“Complementing the existing E-Jets in their fleet, is a proof of the reliability and efficiency the jets bring to airlines,” he added.

The airline is betting on an expanded network to boost revenues from passengers as escalating fuel costs threaten to push earnings in the global airline industry to new lows, after taking a beating from the global economic recession between 2008 and 2009.

In addition, the airline is also looking to double its daily flight to Juba, Southern Sudan, as it eyes to tap on the expected rise in demand for travel after the successful referendum.

The airline has also announced plans to increase its frequencies to Zanzibar from three times to 10 times weekly and create two additional flights to Gaborone, Libreville and Bangui.
BusinessDailyAfrica (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/KQ+to+buy+10+Embraer+jets+to+drive+Africa+expansion/-/539552/1186336/-/item/0/-/li9rqy/-/index.html)

I've heard rumors that Kenya Airways may serve São Paulo, Brazil, in the near future (maybe in december/2011). Is it true?

The focus now for KQ is flying to virtually every African capital and major city and connecting these cities to Asia and Europe. Though its highly possible that the first South American flight they will make will most likely be to Brazil.

Expanding Kenya Airways to lease two 777s from GECAS


Kenya Airways signed a letter of intent with GECAS for the lease of two new Boeing 777-300ERs as part of its long-term expansion plan, Group MD Titus Naikuni revealed to ATW on the sidelines of the Connectivity in Africa conference organized by Embraer in Nairobi. The new -300ERs are in addition to its Dreamliner order and are expected to be delivered at the end of 2012-early 2013 if the contract is firmed, he said.

KQ would use the widebodies on new routes to India and other points in the Far East as well as Dubai. Traffic rights are no issue, he said, noting KQ has the rights to Delhi and is in talks regarding Mumbai. Kenya and UAE have an open skies agreement.

The airline operates four 777-200s in a two-class configuration with 320 seats. “We have not yet decided on the configuration of the -300ERs but seat density will be higher than our -200s,” he said. KQ’s first 787s are slated to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2013. “I pray to God Boeing will not change [the delivery schedule] again,” he commented (ATW Daily News, June 24).

Naikuni also confirmed the company concluded an agreement for a 747-400F and is looking at two 737Fs. The second-hand 747 is leased and is expected to start flying with the KQ livery in October. A team is inspecting the two 737Fs “for the moment. Then we will make a decision and we expect to have them in September.”

KQ recently signed a LOI for 10 Embraer E-jets with a further 10 options (ATW Daily News, June 21). It currently operates two E-190s and five E-170s in a two-class configuration. Two new E-190s, with seat-back IFE in both classes, will join its growing fleet before year end. The airline is using the E-jets on thin routes and new routes in Africa. “When you open a new route in Africa you traditionally go in with a single frequency. We realized this was not a good service. The E-jets allow us to have a high frequency,” he noted.

The airline is moving ahead with its plan to add seven new destinations this year and seven next year as part of its long-term strategy to “unlock Africa” by flying to capital cities across the continent by the end of 2013. KQ commenced twice-weekly 737 service to Ouagadougou last week, its ninth destination in West Africa. While most new routes will be in Africa, KQ has Beirut and Jeddah mapped as new routes. JED has been on its wish list for a while, “but slots are a problem,” he said. “They have offered slots which do not fit well in our schedule. We are negotiating.”

The KQ CEO reiterated his call for more aviation liberalization and privatization on the continent, allowing for more intra-African cooperation and eventually mergers. “Ethiopian is an airline that I admire a lot, but they are state-owned. It is difficult to forge cooperation with them,” he admitted. “My advice to Africa is: Governments get out of [airline] ownership.” He pointed out there are “still governments in Africa that dictate where their airline will fly and it does not matter for them if they transport air or passengers.”

KQ is one of the few privately owned and profitable airlines in Africa. It posted a KES3.5billion ($41.8 million) net profit in its fiscal year ended March 31 (ATW Daily News, June 3). The company is looking to increase capital to support its ambitious growth plan; management will present details next week.

http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/expanding-kenya-airways-lease-two-777s-gecas-0721

Thats very true-kenya airways is looking to fly to every african market it can fly since this routes will feed its traffic -its trying to make sure that these markets will increase passengers as it feeds it to europe/back.that's the strategy that is should capitalize on-that might the strongest-europe is saturated heavily with the big boys-with the embraers arrival it will serve the airline well to capitalize on the capacity and volume at the time.Kenguy-normally kenya airways flys the 777-200er or the 767.there is tremendous growth opportunities in africa.i think south african airways/ethiopian airlines are not really expanding as much into small markets-they have not encroached on this small markets as much.south africa-its the giant down south.kenya airways its potential is east/central/partly south/partly west africa regions. i think every airlines has its growth strategy.but kenya airways is on the right path.

i also think kenya airways needs to sell itself aggressively to kenyans overseas.that is area i think the airline lacks am not its because of the bad cs from the airlines stewards-not many promotions to cater to that market.it should use every arsenal to fill those seats-promos, who might fill the seats at a certain season be it christmas,spring,fall. kenya airways should pull all stops to bring every passengers into their fold.couple years ago former american airline chief on an interview he was asked how he reduced their expenses-he stated literally cut costs -from a security guard to a voice activated barking of a dog-am merely stating kenya airways needs to look further out of the box.

Thats very true-kenya airways is looking to fly to every african market it can fly since this routes will feed its traffic -its trying to make sure that these markets will increase passengers as it feeds it to europe/back.that's the strategy that is should capitalize on-that might the strongest-europe is saturated heavily with the big boys-with the embraers arrival it will serve the airline well to capitalize on the capacity and volume at the time.Kenguy-normally kenya airways flys the 777-200er or the 767.there is tremendous growth opportunities in africa.i think south african airways/ethiopian airlines are not really expanding as much into small markets-they have not encroached on this small markets as much.south africa-its the giant down south.kenya airways its potential is east/central/partly south/partly west africa regions. i think every airlines has its growth strategy.but kenya airways is on the right path.

Yes I don't know any other airline that is planning on flying to every capital city in Africa. KQ is really expanding into West Africa, and I think it should also tackle North Africa as well. But anyways once Africa's air traffic growth really does take off KQ will stand to benefit as it will more than likely have the most african destinations.
But I also think KQ should focus more on starting European routes (to london, paris, berlin, moscow, rome, etc.) and continue its expansion in the middle east and Asia (primarily china and india).....

the only thing that could hold back growth is shortage of aircraft, especially the 787-8s which wont be delivered until late 2013.:nuts: personally I'm glad KQ is looking to buy E-190 Jets from Embraer. The narrow-bodies are the perfect size since they have seats up to 114 and as low as 94. Save on fuel, and really the african routes KQ has as of now don't require larger aircraft as they're not too busy so Embraer is a perfect fit.

A very nice video of a journey on a KQ B777 from Bangkok to Hong Kong
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the flight attendant at 8:02 is cute...

Yes I don't know any other airline that is planning on flying to every capital city in Africa. KQ is really expanding into West Africa, and I think it should also tackle North Africa as well. But anyways once Africa's air traffic growth really does take off KQ will stand to benefit as it will more than likely have the most african destinations.
But I also think KQ should focus more on starting European routes (to london, paris, berlin, moscow, rome, etc.) and continue its expansion in the middle east and Asia (primarily china and india).....

the only thing that could hold back growth is shortage of aircraft, especially the 787-8s which wont be delivered until late 2013.:nuts: personally I'm glad KQ is looking to buy E-190 Jets from Embraer. The narrow-bodies are the perfect size since they have seats up to 114 and as low as 94. Save on fuel, and really the african routes KQ has as of now don't require larger aircraft as they're not too busy so Embraer is a perfect fit.They already fly to London, Paris and Rome.

It would have been better if KQ breaks its partnership with KLM so that they dont rely too much on KLM to make a decision as to which routes they should fly.

^^oh yeah forgot about that!...KQ & KLM's partnership is just code-sharing within their networks and running regular services through nairobi and amsterdam..they can't decide what routes KQ flies or not.

^^oh yeah forgot about that!...KQ & KLM's partnership is just code-sharing within their networks and running regular services through nairobi and amsterdam..they can't decide what routes KQ flies or not.KLM is the majority shareholder of KQ, they have the power to veto anything.

okay, but unless this is hurting KQ's expansion, which it doesn't seem to be, then there is nothing wrong with the partnership or KLM's stake in KQ. :)

anyways, this service has already started:

Kenya Airways in a Commercial Venture with United Bank for Africa (UBA)

Kenya Airways has entered into a partnership with one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa; United Bank for Africa Plc to promote trade and remittances across the continent.

Formalized by Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer Mr. Bram Stellar and Managing Director of UBA Kenya Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi, this partnership will see the bank highlight trade opportunities and financial products through onboard cabin advertising.

Leveraging on the leadership position of both institutions in their respective industries, the advertising deal which commences in July this year, will enable the bank to present an array of financial products including Africash, Afritrade and Africard through Kenya Airways in-flight communication and other channels to passengers on Kenya Airways flights across Kenya Airways network.

Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Bram Stellar noted, “This partnership offers opportunities for us to work with UBA in highlighting the growing opportunities for our customers across the continent while enabling us to continue to grow our ancillary revenues.”

He added that Kenya Airways is committed to strategic and sustainable development of Africa and will continue to seek partnerships with other organizations that will enable the fulfillment of the continent's economic development.

The partnership will also see UBA advertise its products and services in Kenya Airways in-flight magazine Msafiri and on its In-flight Entertainment system (IFE) and on the aircraft seat covers. Previously, seat cover advertising has been solely reserved for Kenya Airways products. UBA is the first corporate organization to take up the opportunity for in-cabin advertising.

Also speaking at the ceremony Mr. Akinyemi said "we are flagging off this partnership with the promotion of Africash; our proprietary money transfer service that facilitates instant local/cross border payments service for UBA or non UBA customers across our over 850 branches and numerous sub-agents across Africa".

As a leading Pan-African Bank offering unique products and services to more than 8 million customer accounts in 19 African countries, the partnership with Kenya Airways on the whole provides the bank a good platform to share information on its banking products, innovative cross-border payments solutions and trade finance services, he maintained.

Kenya Airways has identified various platforms through which the airline grows its ancillary revenue by offering value based opportunities for advertising services to various corporate entities. “Kenya Airways will continue to identify further opportunities for customer communication as we strive to provide even better services to our passengers who are also consumers of various other products,” concludes Mr. Stellar.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) is a leading Pan-African Bank with presence in 19 African countries, New York City (USA), London (United Kingdom) and Paris (France). Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, UBA provides universal banking services to over 8 million customers across Africa.

Beyond traditional banking services, the Group leverages its African footprint, knowledge and capacity to provide innovative financial services including investment banking, wealth management, trusteeship, life insurance, pension custody, stock broking and share registration.

KQ Press Release (http://www.kenya-airways.com/kq4/about_kenya_airways/press_releases/current_press_releases/default.aspx?colm=&cid=3730)

very proud of this company.

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KLM is the majority shareholder of KQ, they have the power to veto anything.

KLM majority shares 26% do not give them out right veto power because the Kenyan govt is a major shareholder with 23% stake. the veto power is shared by those two.

KLM majority shares 26% do not give them out right veto power because the Kenyan govt is a major shareholder with 23% stake. the veto power is shared by those two.Yes they are a major shareholders but still whoever with the majority shares (KLM in this case) has the most power. I heard they wanted to start flights to Miami but KLM was not comfortable with it and so it had to be cancelled. I heard something like that but it may be false, it just looks true because of KLM.

Yes they are a major shareholders but still whoever with the majority shares (KLM in this case) has the most power. I heard they wanted to start flights to Miami but KLM was not comfortable with it and so it had to be cancelled. I heard something like that but it may be false, it just looks true because of KLM.

Their share isn't that higher than the Kenyan government's. Them being the largest shareholder does give them a large say, but nowhere near what's needed to keep KQ from expanding into new routes.

besides that Miami route wouldn't make much sense, imo. Yes there is a small minority of wealthy africans in the area, but really it'd probably be one of KQ's least profitable routes had they gone through with it seeing as MIA is catered more to the latin american than african market.

Their share isn't that higher than the Kenyan government's. Them being the largest shareholder does give them a large say, but nowhere near what's needed to keep KQ from expanding into new routes.

besides that Miami route wouldn't make much sense, imo. Yes there is a small minority of wealthy africans in the area, but really it'd probably be one of KQ's least profitable routes had they gone through with it seeing as MIA is catered more to the latin american than african market.That may be the case but it still depends on KQ's strategy.I dont think an African airline should always target Africans, they can for example target travellers going to Dubai or New Delhi from Miami or work in partnership with other airlines using MIA to transfer passengers in this way then they just use Nairobi again as a transit point.Anyways, I also personally think KQ is still not prepared in this kind strategy and it may therefore not be very profitable.Other North American cities may at least be viable

Eddeux, kenya airways is trying to fly as much as many african cities as it can because it will feed it with traffic that is the hub and spoke system. definitely north africa will be a continent for them to try-maybe now its not a within the short-medium goal.its already serving london which is one of its money earners. while paris,berlin,moscow-this cities don't have the traffic to warrant them to fly there.remember air france used to fly to kenya but it quite because traffic had dropped so significantly that it was viable route.this routes they will be fed through from their partners.definitely the embraer will serve well the regional routes in terms of distance and capacity. kenya airways will wait for the 787 which will be routed to the london or lets say european routes.its east asia traffic its doing that well in terms of traffic -watu but the goods is its very good.u might think may be am short-sighted. traffic is crucial to sustain the routes-i don't think they have daily but maybe weekly so that they can fill the seats.i personally don't think kq needs to buy the 787s thats my take they could buy the 777-200lr which will serve it well and obviously cheaper-at initial cost.but kQ have their own reasons why they need it.there alot of reasons why they need it.but KQ is on the right path.

xjamaax- miami is the least of the kenya Airways sights.that is why they partners to feed them with passengers-that is why the alliance.going by your assumptions they do not offer any logical way kenya airways would work it through traffic.other african cities are crucial to kenya because of the hub and spoke system use-they are not a point to point system. the african cities will feed with traffic through nairobi to europe. about the shareholding go look over the additional notes-annual report. maybe request documentation from kq since its a public company about its articles of corporation.

the miami route did not add any value to the bottom line.period whoever thought of the miami thing in kq hadn't done alot research inside-out.sometimes airlines aniticipate traffic based on what their analysts tell them.

xjamaax- miami is the least of the kenya Airways sights.that is why they partners to feed them with passengers-that is why the alliance.going by your assumptions they do not offer any logical way kenya airways would work it through traffic.other african cities are crucial to kenya because of the hub and spoke system use-they are not a point to point system. the african cities will feed with traffic through nairobi to europe. about the shareholding go look over the additional notes-annual report. maybe request documentation from kq since its a public company about its articles of corporation.That's why I said other North American cities like Atlanta,NYC, Toronto e.t.c may be a bit viable.I know KQ doesnt rely on point to point system and instead they get traffic from their alliance partners in Amsterdam, London, Paris, in addition to to their African hub in Nairobi.By the way they can still be able to get traffic from a Delta Airlines hub in Atlanta or New York-JFK so I think a North American route is somehow viable just like how they do in Amsterdam (KLM's hub).

Why do you think Delta Airlines wanted to fly to Nairobi from Atlanta (it's hub)?It's the same thing I think but I dont know what happened.(Security issues I guess.:dunno:)

Shareholding is clear for me so there is no need for me to go over it.

Honestly I'd rather see KQ expand routes in Asia (India, China, Southeast & Middle East) than anywhere else outside of Africa. This region will probably see the highest jump in traffic between it and Africa over the next decade, and seeing how the Asia region will definitely be the fastest growing of all regions it gives them another valid reason to aggressively expand here.

Flying to JFK, Hartsfield, or Toronto Pearson would be a good idea. But other than these 3 airports, and possibly O'Hare, I don't see any other KQ route in North America being profitable...

Currently KQ flies to HK, Guangzhou, Bangkok, Mumbai and Dubai in Asia. They have landing rights for New Delhi (I read it somewhere),and should open up a route there eventually. So pepe I think KQ is buying the 787s so it can expand its international routes outside of Africa.

if the traffic commands they can expand further.remember there other competitors in that market.before it expands it has to make sure that its core routes are protected africa-other markets can wrestled out of control.the battle can be too intense for kq for the some of the markets you are toying about.jfk,hartfield, torontoa pearson are not viable.especially toronto.its cannot support the miles flying there.i do believe kq is buying 787 for new routes or existing routes.

if the traffic commands they can expand further.remember there other competitors in that market.before it expands it has to make sure that its core routes are protected africa-other markets can wrestled out of control.the battle can be too intense for kq for the some of the markets you are toying about.jfk,hartfield, torontoa pearson are not viable.especially toronto.its cannot support the miles flying there.i do believe kq is buying 787 for new routes or existing routes.They can, B777 has a capability to do that.Do you know Ethiopian Airlines does Washington DC to Addis non-stop?I think KQ should have tried Atlanta-Nairobi with a stop in Lagos or Accra if possible.

ATL-LOS-NBO could work unless they do a non-stop flight.

source: BusinessDailyAfrica (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/KQ+route+expansion+plan+leads+to+rise+in+passengers/-/539550/1211760/-/y467e2/-/index.html)

KQ route expansion plan leads to rise in passengers


Kenya Airways has reported a 27.6 per cent growth in passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2011.

The rise in travellers has been boosted by the opening of new routes, thus raising its profit outlook in a year seen to be difficult for the airline industry. The national carrier carried 850,908 passengers in the three months to June 2011 up from 666,855 carried in a similar period the previous year.

New routes by the company include direct flights to Rome (Italy), Luanda (Angola), Nampula (Mozambique), Malindi (Kenya), N’Djamena (Chad), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) and Nsimalen (Cameroun).

These pushed the airlines capacity up by 20.3 per cent to 3,386 million seat kilometres. Introduction of the Rome route saw the airlines capacity to Europe grow by 26.3 per cent to 108,835.

“The growth underpins increased long haul customer travel to Europe, Middle East and Far East Regions,” read the statement.

“Growth in business confidence corresponds with demand for premium travel and this should translate into increased demand for air travel,” Mr Titus Naikuni, the airline’s chief executive officer, told investors during the release of last year’s financial results.

The International Air Transport Association downgraded the profit forecast for the aviation industry after the March 11 tsunami in Japan, unrest in the Middle East and North Africa and increasing oil prices. It estimated that the industry would report 78 per cent dip in earnings to $4 billion this year.

However, Kenya Airways has remained upbeat that the growing business confidence in Africa — as attention shifts on the fastest growing continent. The airline’s ongoing route expansion will sustain its growth, from Sh3.5 billion it earned last year having carried 3.1 million passengers.

Also increased frequencies to London saw its capacity to Europe grow 26.3 per cent compared to the same quarter in prior year.

“The Middle East, Far East and Asia regions registered a capacity growth of 22.3 per cent as a result of increased frequencies to Dubai via Muscat.” The airline carried 432,366 passengers in Africa excluding Kenya, representing an 18.1 per cent growth last year.

The domestic front recorded the highest growth, increasing 62.5 per cent to 184,845 due to additional daily frequencies to Mombasa route and the introduction of Malindi flights. “Kisumu steadily grew by 95.8 per cent after the reopening of Kisumu airport that had been closed for runway upgrade and renovation.”

However the airlines cabin factor has remained stagnant at 71.9 per cent this year compared to the 71.7 per cent achieved last year, a pointer that the airline yet to achieve an optimal usage of the available seat capacity. Cabin factor is the revenue from passengers compared to the available seats.

The airline which is hedging its fuel costs to control rising oil prices is also counting on the new routes on its radar this year such as Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Beirut in Lebanon as well as Abuja in Nigeria, Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro, Mauritius Port Louis and Asmara in Eritrea among other rafts of strategies to grow its passenger numbers and maintain its profitability.

eddeux, as you can see kenya airways it going further within africa to acquire new routes, as much as you think kenya needs too european, statistics indicate there is alot of room within africa-through its growth strategy it will work as new african economies expand.europe market,asia is growing but so is the competition.as for now kenya airways needs to continue with its revenue growth in africa and bring new streams of revenue-there are immense-it all depends if it will incorporate in its growth strategy.

if growth stays above 20% for the rest of the year, kq could hit 4 million passengers, or close to it.

They should open up more Asian routes like Shanghai,Beijing,Indian cities, Tokyo e.t.c

^^don't forget competition is also heating up, 4 new airlines are coming to jkia within this year including Etihad Airline, comair of Germany and Gulf airways of bahrain i guess :)

^^yep they will have more competition from other airlines. I think they might just have to worry about keeping international passengers, as Eithad, Comair, etc. don't have extensive Africa routes (which is where KQ's real advantage is).

that's right eddeux, that is why the african market is crucial for kenya airways.they are on a hub and spoke. they are not point to point.they might be having new competitors coming to nrb but kenya airways is gracing itself for the big competition.its getting new planes,new routes-overall.as much they are trying to get new customer.kenya has to position itself as a travel destination in terms of business,tourism. that is where the government comes-kenya airways cannot do it all.government initiated efforts that are kinda slow-not a pace with the development.its catching all the time.i think if we kenyans have to bring new leaders...if we keep voting the way we do...we are sunk bigtime

Pay demands risk slowing down KQ profits

source: BusinessDailyAfrica (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Pay+demands+risk+slowing+down+KQ+profits/-/539550/1213124/-/item/0/-/ghqrlkz/-/index.html)
The Kenya Airways workers union has threatened to call a strike pressing for better employment terms for its members as strained labour relations emerge as a key threat to the airline’s profitability.

The Aviation and Allied Workers Union (AAWU) is asking the national carrier to employ its members on permanent and pensionable terms, reduce the hiring of expatriates and raise salaries for its Kenyan staff.

“Although we are open for negotiations, if push comes to shove and they do not meet our demands we are not ruling out a strike,” said Perpetua Mponjiwa, the union’s chairperson.

“Revenue accounting has been outsourced to an Indian company called Kale Consultants while aircraft grooming has been awarded to Trade and Eurocraft”.

Should the airline heed to the union’s demands, its wage bill will go up even further in an environment where good returns are not guaranteed due to increasing competition from other airlines as well as high cost of doing business.

Interim pay plan

The national carrier is still coming to terms with an August 2009 airline strike that cost the company about Sh600 million in losses when 3,000 of its employees absconded duty.

The two parties agreed on a pay plan that included an interim award of 10 per cent in each of the first two years — which saw the airline’s wage bill grow by about Sh1 billion over the two-year period.

KQ’s wage bill grew from Sh6.2 billion in 2009 to Sh7.7 billion this year, accounting for 10 per cent of its revenues.

Last year too, their performance was adversely impacted by an increase in employee costs of Sh1.55 billion and Sh532 million on general administration and establishment costs.

The worker’s union now insists that a go-slow they claim has been going on for the past week will continue indefinitely until the national carrier agrees to dialogue with a failure to do so inevitably resulting in industrial action.

“KQ has not been served with a notice of any industrial action and wishes to reiterate its commitment to resolving any emerging issues between us and the union in an amicable way through dialogue,” Mr Titus Naikuni, the KQ CEO said.

The national carrier, which is no stranger to such tussles with same union, has denied claims of an ongoing go-slow at the airline while reaffirming that they were ready to negotiate with the workers if and when they give notice of intent.

“I wish to clarify that our staff are not on a go-slow and the flight disruptions over the past weekend was purely occasioned by Technical and Operational reasons,” he clarified.

The 3,000-strong union maintained that flight delays to Johannesburg, Kinshasa and Bangkok were as a result of members’ go-slow.

Union threats of industrial action have been held back by a court order that they await conclusion of negotiations.

KQ B777-200ER landing at London Heathrow

uAXMxUeNGO8

KQ opens new battlefront with low-cost arm

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/image/view/-/1216218/medRes/285334/-/maxw/600/-/xb4cb8/-/kenyaq.jpg
source: BusinessDailyAfrica (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/KQ+opens+new+battlefront+with+low+cost+arm/-/539550/1216214/-/5gxr6f/-/index.html)


Kenya Airways is set to form a low-cost subsidiary to handle its regional operations, opening a new battlefront with budget operators such as Jet Link, Fly540 and Air Kenya for control of the Eastern Africa routes.


The launch of the KQ’s budget line — Jambo Jet — marks a u-turn after the airline absorbed its then low-priced unit known as Flamingo Airlines to its group operations in 2004.

The rise in passenger numbers within eastern Africa, including Uganda and South Sudan, coupled with the rising competition for control of this market seem to inform the national carrier’s decision to establish a subsidiary for local and regional flights.

The airline’s CEO Titus Naikuni said on Monday that the regional unit will have a leaner costs structure compared to those of international airlines—signalling a cost-saving plan that will strengthen its hand in the ongoing price war.

“Jambo Jet is being formed and we are still in the early stages of it,” said Mr Naikuni without giving details.

This is the latest signal from KQ of its intention to wrest regional routes from rivals Jet Link, Fly540 and Air Kenya that have in recent years been aggressive in pursuit of the ever growing passenger base. It also part of the global trend where international carriers are forming subsidiaries to handle local routes and free executives to handle the more complicated international travel besides enjoying costs savings from leaner operations.

South African Airlines runs the local Mango Airline while British Airways has a majority stake in Comair—which serves southern African nations including Lesotho, Namibia and Botswana.

Kenya Airways generates about five per cent of its sales from its Kenyan routes and is keen to grow this share to double digits as the rising middle class opts for air travel over road transport.

The formation of the East Africa Common market coupled with the split of Sudan, which has created Africa’s newest state South Sudan, has also created increased air travel in the region.

Other regional operators reckon that the KQ budget subsidiary will renew to renew the ongoing battle for control of the domestic and regional markets with pricing set to emerge as key market share driver.

The national carrier has been cutting fares on its domestic routes.

“When an Airline like Kenya airways enters the business you are in, you must be prepared or risk being pushed out of business,” said Nixon Ooko, the operations director at Fly540.

great news for travelers.:cheers:

have any of you guys ever flown Fly540?

i have..small noisy aircraft.

Kenya Airways reaches agreement with Aviation Workers Union
source: KQ press release
(http://www.kenya-airways.com/home/about_kenya_airways/press_releases/current_press_releases/default.aspx?colm=&cid=3772)

…both parties finally sign the long outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreement

Nairobi, August 8, 2011…Kenya Airways, has today signed the outstanding Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Aviation and Allied Workers Union (K) (AAWU).
The new agreement, signed by the airline’s Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Titus Naikuni and AAWU General Secretary Nicholas Baraza and witnessed by Central Organization of Trade Unions Deputy Secretary General Isaiah Kubai and the Federation of Kenya Employers, will see the union members get a 25% increase in their salaries and allowances which will be backdated to 2008. The new CBA 2010-12 will also have a 20% increase in salaries and allowances.
“Kenya Airways management is glad that the CBA discussions that have been ongoing since 2008 have finally come to a successful completion,” noted Dr. Naikuni.
Dr Naikuni said that the closure on the CBA negotiations with AAWU was in line with the airline’s overall corporate strategy and in particular human resource investment and improvement program aimed at ensuring a team of highly motivated staff that delivers world class service to its customers.
He acknowledged Mr. Francis Atwoli from COTU and Mr. Linus Kariuki from FKE for having facilitated this process successfully to its completion.
The CBA was signed after both parties agreed on key issues that revolved around, house allowance, transport allowance and basic salary; this agreement will now see staff enjoy an annual 10% adjustment for the next two years.

KQ @ AMS

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i have..small noisy aircraft.

lol,me too.Very small planes,but they are cheap (Nairobi-mombasa).

have any of you guys ever flown Fly540?


Did it once, round trip Nrb-Dar...the trip to Dar was in a baby plane, shook all the way, I guess the weather wasnt appropriate, I dont know. The return trip was better in a slightly larger plane (I mean the trip to Dar was in a plane with one seat on each side and return trip had two seats on each side, thats why I say larger)

KQ reels under huge wage bill
Standard (http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/InsidePage.php?id=2000040867&cid=457)

Kenya Airways is walking a tight rope as it seeks to balance between a growing wage bill and cutting costs.

Just last week, the national carrier was literally arm twisted into inking a pay increment for its unionisable employees.

Also putting a strain on the airline’s till is the push to expand to other routes even as domestic routes record growing competition.

Last week, KQ management signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Airline Aviation Workers Union (AAWU) that will see unionisable employees get a pay hike and allowance by 25 per cent.

The five per cent pay rise (2.5 per cent for each year) covers the period between 2008 and 2010 and another 20 per cent (10 per cent for each year) to cover 2011 to 2012.

The amount will see the airline’s annual wage bill of Sh10.1 billion increase by more than Sh1.2 billion by end of this year, pushing it to an all time high at Sh11.3 billion — hardly anything shareholders will be excited about.

"The board has taken note of the anticipated traffic demand in 2011 and the pressures on yields due to escalating fuel prices," says KQ Board Chairman Evanson Mwaniki in a statement during the release of the first half of the year results.

"This implies that Kenya Airways has to implement appropriate strategies to enhance growth and profitability."

The August 2009 strike cost the airline an estimated Sh600 million in losses. During the industrial action, 3,000 union members of the airline’s employees absconded from duty.

This and of plans to buy Boeing 787 Dreamliner by 2013 has been the source of constant boardroom headache at Kenya Airways.

The ever-present questions to the custodians of strategy at Kenya Airways include volatility in oil prices, general rise in operational expenses and pressure from shareholders for a return on their investments.

Directors have in fact recommended payment of a first and final dividend of Sh1.50 per share for approval by the shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on October 14, payable in November.

To stem the tide of growing competition, place a cap on revenue leaks, and avoid the mistakes that led to the strike, the airline’s management is now exploring alternative revenue streams.

The airline, which has in the past controlled domestic and regional routes with relative ease, is now fighting to stave off competition from smaller carriers by moving to open new routes on the continent and beyond.

"The airline will continue opening new routes on a selective basis, investing in its fleet development, training staff and improving its systems," Mwaniki says.

Alternative Revenue

Already, the airline has opened several routes including flying to Rome (Italy), Luanda (Angola), Nampula (Mozambique), and Malindi (Kenya). Others are N’Djamena (Chad), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Nsimalen (Cameroun) and Juba (South Sudan).

The airline that has over the years made profit by cost cutting is also eyeing alternative revenue sources to solidify their earnings.

Some of the identified areas to perk up the revenue earnings include advertising on airport buses, hiring out excess capacity at its training facility Pride Centre and its recently installed Flight Simulator to other airlines.

In its audited accounts released March this year, the airline recorded a 21 per cent profit increase from Sh70.7 billion in 2010 to 85.8 billion in the early first quarter of 2011.

Profit after tax increased to Sh3.538 billion compared to the previous year when it raked in Sh2.035 billion in profits, representing a net profit margin of 4.1per cent, up from 2.9per cent achieved in 2009-10. Earnings per share rose to Sh7.65 from Sh4.40 reported in the previous year.

The airline also raked in Sh86 billion in revenues from the firm’s core business activities, which included passenger ticket sales accounting over 80 per cent at Sh75 billion while cargo accounted for Sh7.5 billion.

Its ground handling services brought in Sh1.5 billion.

Ancillary services, lumped together as ‘others’ in KQ’s financial report for 2010/2011 year, generated a sizeable Sh2.5 billion, having grown by 112 per cent from Sh1.2 billion the previous year.

However, pressure on its balance sheet has been increasing every year due to rising fuel costs, traffic demands and expansion programmes — which have eaten into its profit margin.


Mid East Crisis

According to IATA, the high fuel prices, arising from the political turmoil in the Middle East and Northern Africa early this year, will squeeze airline’s profits in 2011.

The traffic demand, however, remains robust with long haul network airlines being the best placed.

To tap into this potential, KQ in 2006 signed a purchase agreement with the plane maker to buy nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircrafts, even taking an option on a further four.

The first delivery is expected towards end of 2013 — the time when the airline is predicting a rapidly expanding route network and steady growth in passenger and cargo demand.


Cost Management

The deal marks a major milestone in the airline’s fleet modernisation programme.

In their strategy paper, KQ board notes that the airline’s main drivers of improved performance will include passenger numbers, better yields and more stringent cost management.

In the first quarter of 2011, KQ reported a 27.6 per cent growth in passenger numbers. The airline carried 850,908 passengers in the three months to June 2011 up from 666,855 carried in a similar period last year.

The domestic front recorded the highest growth, increasing 62.5 per cent to 184,845 due to additional daily frequencies to Mombasa route and the introduction of Malindi flights.

Kisumu route grew by 95.8 per cent after the reopening of Kisumu airport that had been closed for runway upgrade and renovation.

Some welcomers at JKIA in front of a KQ flight that recently landed...

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all from KQ Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenyaairways/sets/72157622492244987/)

Boeing loses out as KQ goes to Brazil for Embraer jets
Nation (http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Boeing+loses+out+as+KQ+goes+to+Brazil+for+Embraer+jets+/-/1006/1227668/-/item/1/-/4mwstjz/-/index.html)

Kenya Airways on Tuesday morning signed a purchase agreement that will see the national carrier buy up to 26 jets from Brazilian firm Embraer in a deal that aligns the airline’s expansion plan and threatens the dominance of US aircraft maker Boeing.

The national carrier has been aggressively moving into new markets, especially in Africa, a move that has put a strain on its fleet, which stood at 31 in March.

An Embraer spokesperson yesterday said the deal will include the supply of 10 jets and the rights for KQ to purchase an additional 16 whose delivery is expected from the second half of next year.

“The deal also includes purchase rights for 16 aircraft, which could be either the Embraer 190 or other models of the E-Jet family,” Ghislain Bouman, the firm’s press officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa said in an interview with the Business Daily.

KQ’s decision to buy Brazilian jets, which are mainly used in domestic and short regional routes, is set to shift the balance of power in the sale of planes in Kenya that has remained in the hands of Boeing.

It is also a blow to European Airbus whom Kenya Airways has been mulling to offer contracts following delays by Boeing to deliver planes agreed on in 2006.

Of the 31 planes KQ is operating, 25 are Boeing and six from Embraer, up from three held two years ago.

The Brazilian firm has in the past year launched a charm offensive in Africa as it seeks to cut the dominance of Boeing and Airbus.

This is in line with the push by Brazil to boost trade with continent as emerging countries gradually shift their economic dependence away from rich nations.

Trade between Brazil and Africa has increased more than five-fold to $26 billion since 2003 and its embassies in the region have doubled to 34 in its quest to grow business for their companies.

Embraer has been angling for a piece of the African Market following recent expansion announcements by airlines. In his recent visit to Kenya, Mr Mathieu Duquesnoy, Embraer’s Vice President - Commercial Aviation, Middle East & Africa – who will also be presiding over today’s signing said his firm was willing to arrange credit lines through the Brazilian government’s export credit agency for smaller airlines wishing to buy its planes.

Industry data shows that Africa is expected to generate demand of upto 800 aircrafts before 2030.

For KQ, the new planes will help rev up its earnings through increased passenger traffic on its current and planned new routes as well as bring on board fuel efficient jets - a key profit driver since fuel accounts form a significant portion of the airline’s operating costs.

“As we continue to focus on the expansion of our network with longer routes from our hub in Nairobi, the acquisition of new Embraer 190s is key to our growth strategy,” said Kenya Airways’ managing director Titus Naikuni in June when the national carrier expressed its intent to buy more Brazilian jets.

“The E190 jet fits well with our expansion strategy, giving us an opportunity to expand our network and increase our frequencies.”
The firm is keen on planes that consume less fuel and have lower maintance costs as it races to put a lid on costs at a moment when its faced with ballooning costs compounded by employee wages.

Its share price has also fallen by over 36 per cent in the past year to the current price of Sh31.25.

Battle for travellers

The Embraer deal will add fresh impetus to the ongoing battle for African travellers pitting Kenya Airways, Ethiopia Airlines and South African Airlines.

It also signals Kenya Airways’ shifting preference towards the cheaper Brazilian aircraft, while cooling off debate over the rivalry between Boeing and Airbus, which Kenya Airways was planning to turn to following delay in the delivery of nine Boeing planes, commonly referred to as Dreamliners.

KQ has announced plans to start flying into Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Beirut in Lebanon in addition to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso launched recently.

Other routes on its radar include Abuja in Nigeria, Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro, Port Louis in Mauritius and Asmara in Eritrea in a push to connect more African cities from Nairobi in a market that generates 49 per cent of its Sh85.8 billion revenues. Its net profit grew to Sh3.5 billion in the year to March compared to Sh2 billion in a smilar period last year.

The firm plans to raise Sh20 billion this year, according to Kestrel Capital, to fund the acquisitions.

Strategically the e190 jets or smaller will serve KE in its strategic encroachment in africa.i am not seeing kenya airways buying boeing 737 especially with this purchase.i think boeing is jerking people around with this 787 jet...but it has paid hefty damages to airlines that have waiting for this jet to come.the embraers are cheaper to maintain, procure in the long run.their costs are cheaper than boeing 737.kudos to KE.

^^Yep KQ will have its Embraer jets before Boeing delivers the 787 to them. Honestly, I think Embraer and KQ are a match made in heaven. Embraer makes the regional jets that are perfect in size for KQs routes in Africa and are fuel efficient. The 787 would only make sense, imo, if KQ was using it for international routs outside of Africa.

Pilot shortage looms as KQ doubles fleet
BDA (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Pilot+shortage+looms+as+KQ+doubles+fleet/-/539550/1228432/-/item/0/-/qeo2ir/-/index.html)

Kenya Airways’ plan to double its fleet size in the next five years has set the stage for a vicious battle for pilots and aircraft engineers, sparking fears of a fresh rally in salaries that could hurt profits.

The national carrier intends to grow its fleet to 62 by 2016 to allow it connect the bulk of Africa travellers to the rest of the world through its Nairobi hub.

Players in the industry have said that KQ will need to grow the number pilots by a minimum of about 80 per cent from the its current 377 to support its growth plan—which means it will require at least 300 more pilots.

Though Kenya Airways said it will boost its training plans, its rival in the region said the national carrier looks set to tap their talent pool in what would lead to a season of staff poaching.

“You cannot have an experienced pilot in less than five years and this raises the possibility of Kenya Airways hiring experienced pilots and retraining them to fly these new jets,” said Nixon Ooko, the operations manager at Fly540.

He added that demand and pay for pilots are set to rise in coming years yet the industry is currently struggling to train pilots enough to meet increasing demand, especially with the entry of new carriers in the past three years.

This has seen compensation for pilots nearly double over the past three years, industry analysts and executives say, putting pressure on margins as airlines spend millions of shillings yearly on training.

The entry level for a commercial pilot is between $2,000 (Sh180,000) and $3,000 (Sh270,000) depending on plane type, while that of captain—the pilot in command—is between $4,000 (Sh360,000) and $6,000 (Sh540,000).

“Our greatest challenge is getting the pilots to fly these planes and that is why we are talking with Embraer not just to supply us with the aircraft but also support us to get the skills required,” said Titus Naikuni, the chief executive of Kenya Airways.

The airline opens an average of at least five new routes every year and currently flies into 55 destinations.

The firm is eyeing more routes in Africa to rev up its earnings in a continent that generates 49 per cent of its Sh85.8 billion revenue — increasing its appetite for new planes and pilots. [Read: KQ opens new battlefront with low-cost arm]

The high cost of training pilots has discouraged most people from taking the course. Kenya Airways, for example, spends about Sh8.5 million to train a pilot.

The national carrier has invested Sh1.1 billion in a Boeing 737 flight simulator — artificial re-creator of aircraft flight — for in-house training of pilots to reduce its bill of training in South Africa and slow down its rising wage bill.

Its staff costs stood at Sh11.1 billion in the year to March 2011 compared to Sh10.1 billion in the same period a year ago, and employee costs is emerging as a threat to its earnings, especially after last month’s 20 per cent pay increment for its non-management staff.

Its net profit grew to Sh3.5 billion in the year to March compared to Sh2 billion in a similar period last year.

KQ Seeks Asia - West Africa Cargo Business
AllAfrica (http://allafrica.com/stories/201108310069.html)

National carrier Kenya Airways will kick off its dedicated cargo freighter business with a focus on West Africa and Asia routes. Company officials yesterday said they expect the first craft, a Boeing 747 freighter to touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport mid-next month.

The aircraft will be on wet-lease meaning KQ will be leasing it from another airline and will not brand it with its colours. Two other freighters will be arriving by the end of the year on dry leases.

KQ will bank on growing trade between Asia and Africa as well as trade amongst African countries to support its cargo business. "It will definitely link Asia with West Africa," said Sauda Rajab, the KQ general manager, Cargo. "It will also link Nairobi and West Africa most likely Nigeria."

From Asia, the cargo will mostly include electronic equipment such as appliances, mobile phones and computers, mail and some textiles. The final routes have not been confirmed because of the difficulty of scheduling. While a cargo plane flying out of Asia may come filled with products, it is not guaranteed that its return leg will have business. "That is why the routing is quite difficult," Rajab said. "It's (the route) is not point-to-point. It will actually be a circular route."

The service will also support the export of meat products from the Kenya Meat Commission and Farmer's Choice to the Middle East and West Africa.

When it reported its quarterly performance for the months between April and June 2011, the airline said cargo volumes jumped 16 per cent over the same period last year.

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both by mark winterbourne
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/lbaviation/with/6088760332/)

^^Yep KQ will have its Embraer jets before Boeing delivers the 787 to them. Honestly, I think Embraer and KQ are a match made in heaven. Embraer makes the regional jets that are perfect in size for KQs routes in Africa and are fuel efficient. The 787 would only make sense, imo, if KQ was using it for international routs outside of Africa.

That's the strategy, fly to every single African capital and all economic centres of importance on the continent. Then once this market is secure, connect Africa to the world. :)

Another by Mark Winterbourne
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I wonder why Kenya airways has turned to the 84 passenger small embraer jets. why can't they get the 500 passenger boeings and airbuses too

I wonder why Kenya airways has turned to the 84 passenger small embraer jets. why can't they get the 500 passenger boeings and airbuses too

That's because most of their proposed new destinations do not need huge passenger jets. If they are to start flying to Niamey, Niger for example, it doesn't make economic sense to use huge jets.

On a side note, I think KQ is about to get a new competitor in the region. Rwandair have started purchasing boeing aircraft.

That's because most of their proposed new destinations do not need huge passenger jets. If they are to start flying to Niamey, Niger for example, it doesn't make economic sense to use huge jets.

On a side note, I think KQ is about to get a new competitor in the region. Rwandair have started purchasing boeing aircraft.

Yah bt y cnt they purchase bigger planes 4 the busier routes like london 4 example. instead of flying twice a day in a 116 carrier, they cn go once in a larger plane.

I do not think there is another regional airline that can compete with Kenya Airways other than Ethiopian Airways and South African Airways judging by their fleets and also their infrastructure. With the upgrading of JKIA and other airports in Kenya and KQ's strategic expansion it is only reasonable to respect their method of madness as it revived a dying carrier and made it one of Africa's premier brands. Let the professionals do what they do since it has worked so far. And apart from romanticizing about Rwanda, let us be realistic, Rwanda is developing but Kenya is also developing rapidly. I have been to Rwanda and all this Rwanda talk is just talk at best. They have a long way to go before they can attain the same status as Uganda and Tanzania for starters.

tallglassy-this is a forum where you have different views,opinions and observations, they might not be necessarily right-but people bring them forward.i think rwandair competition was overblown-they are many years before they get to KQ size.they are a small airline that is learning from KQ how to expand-their market is small.it will be years before they get to KQ strengths.so far KQ is doing rather pretty good.

True but never underestimate a competitor. The skies in East Africa are getting a lot more competitive. KQ's largest competition is definitely Ethiopian, but the smaller carriers such as RwandAir, Fly 540, and Precision Air that have been growing rapidly shouldn't be discarded. RwandAir is buying new Boeing jets, and Precision will be listed on the DSE by november in order to fund its fleet expansion. In ten years KQ could see these small carriers turn into much larger, formidable players. Just look at where KQ was in 2001 compared to now, ten years is a long time.

@ pepe58 as you noted, this is a forum where people voice their opinions and my previous post does exactly that.

True but never underestimate a competitor. The skies in East Africa are getting a lot more competitive. KQ's largest competition is definitely Ethiopian, but the smaller carriers such as RwandAir, Fly 540, and Precision Air that have been growing rapidly shouldn't be discarded. RwandAir is buying new Boeing jets, and Precision will be listed on the DSE by november in order to fund its fleet expansion. In ten years KQ could see these small carriers turn into much larger, formidable players. Just look at where KQ was in 2001 compared to now, ten years is a long time.

I do not underestimate Rwanda Air but the simple truth is it is a start up with a long way to go. I agree the smaller cariers have been growing and I have flown both precision and fly540 but did you know KQ owns 49% stake in Precision? :-)
I think with fly540 has the potential to expand the fastest in the region and that is where I think the competition is so I agree with you. At the same time, KQ is also going to grow within the suggested number of years but due to the fact they are already an established brand, with the needed capital and situated in the most vibrant market in the region, they remain the most promising in my opinion.

rwandair has a longway to go as much as they are trying to acquire new 737-momentarily i don't think they have the clout-strategically competing with KQ would not be in their best interest.the smaller airlines have to regroup their strategies asap.fly540 is underfunded as much as it came as a low cost strategy it has not wrestled alot control from KQ-because KQ matches their prices-also their compounded with her issues such plane acquisition,human resources-i.e pilots,areas of operations,i think if airlink and fly540 merged-it would bring to fully bring it on with KQ-marshall all of their resources-ithink african airlines like being solo-to their fault,fly540 does not have any major strengths to fully compete with KQ-kq knows that.fly540 has potential but with no further investment into it-it will never fully realize it.

KQ’s Embraer jet order likely to cost $428m
The East African (http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/KQ+Embraer+jet+order+likely+to+cost++428m/-/2560/1229708/-/item/0/-/15de7ny/-/index.html)

Kenya Airways has ordered 10 E-190 jets from Embraer, making it among the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer’s top 10 customers in the world and the biggest in Africa.

While the deal will help Embraer expand deeper into Africa, it brings with it major opportunities and challenges for KQ, which has similar ambitions.

This deal is expected to transform the capital structure of KQ from that of a middling African carrier, to a more complex one of a carrier that is now hungry for cash to finance its expansion. Already, the carrier is asking existing shareholders — with the government of Kenya and KLM the biggest of them — to increase common equity by $247 million. The Treasury has already budgeted nearly $60 million for this.

While such a rights issue may look ambitious going by recent efforts by KCB, this cash alone will not be sufficient to pay for KQ’s expansion over the next five years. For one, as Ghislain Boüan, Embraer press officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, told The EastAfrican, a new Embraer E190 is selling at a pre-discount price of $42.8 million. So in KQ’s case, which is buying its E190s in cash, the 10 planes will cost $428 million.

It is clear why KQ has taken the cash route, going by the debt covenants it maintains with the banks and other lenders. At its current level of capitalisation, the airline has a gearing ratio of 79 per cent, meaning that every shilling of shareholders net equity supports 7.9 shillings in debt. Simply put, creditors have little headroom with KQ — if the airline started racking up huge losses without government support, it would face difficulties staying afloat and repaying its debts.

However, if KQ were to dip into its treasure chest of profits reserve currently valued at $200 million — which could be paid out as bonus shares — and proceed to raise the $250 million it plans to raise through a rights issue, it will significantly expand its capacity to borrow aggressively to pay for expansion. Then there would be the question of generating robust free cashflows to repay the loans and still pay out a regular dividend.

Expansion means KQ has to increase its fleet — and the airline indeed plans to double its fleet of 31 aircraft in five years’ time to protect its lucrative African market.

Africa accounts for nearly half of KQ’s $1.1 billion turnover, a figure that is likely to increase with more African routes being launched during the current financial year ending March 2012.

With KQ last week finalising the contract for acquisition of the 10 Embraer jets — each with a capacity of 96 passengers — by 2013, the airline aims to reduce the average age of its fleet from 8.3 years to around 6.2 years. This will help reduce operational costs.

The Embraer 190 has a range of about 4,500km, which means the farthest KQ can fly the plane is between Nairobi and Equitorial Guniea to the west in a non-stop flight and between Nairobi and South Africa to the south.

KQ has the option of buying an additional 16 planes from the Brazilian manufacturer.

Short and medium haul routes

Acquiring the narrow-bodied Embraer means KQ is eyeing short and medium haul routes as well as increased frequencies on the African continent, where there is great potential for growth.

“Foreign interest in Africa’s resources and manufacturing potential is prompting new developments in many industries. This in turn should promote new airline links as regional economies improve,” say Embraer in their outlook on the aviation market for 2011 to 2030.

But the fleet expansion means KQ has to raise cash to expand its fleet, recruit pilots and strengthen top management to drive the 10 year expansion plan.

KQ has hit the ceiling on its borrowing. For every $1 it has raised from its shareholders and retained from its earnings, it has borrowed $1.25 from banks such as Barclays and ABN Amro to acquire aircraft and spare engines. At today’s exchange rates, KQ owes $282 million to the banks and 75 per cent of this debt is due in the next two to five years, which signals a major short-term liquidity burden.

“They will most probably look at a rights issue because they cannot increase their borrowing,” said an analyst who asked not to be named. “If you look at the shareholding, KQ would already have nearly 50 per cent of the offer taken up since the government has committed to buying into the offer.”

The government has signalled it is preparing for a rights issue by setting aside $60 million in its budgetary allocation for the financial year ending June 30, 2012.

Dutch airline KLM holds 26 per cent of KQ’s shareholding and will most likely take up its shares if it is through a rights issue.

There are more airlines also looking at Africa for growth opportunities. Some, such as RwandAir, are also looking to expand their fleet.

But according to KQ managing director Titus Naikuni, many African carriers remain too small to compete against larger players, so the best way forward is to merge. The challenge is getting African governments to open up to the possibility of mergers of national carriers.

“The problem is not the airlines, it is with governments who are not willing to enter into mergers,” said Mr Naikuni in an interview with The EastAfrican.

Already, there is talk of a possible collaboration between Ethiopian Airlines, Egypt Air and South African Airways to form a regional airline to serve the Central African route. This will bring more competition for KQ.

There is also the challenge of political unrest such as has been witnessed in North Africa for the better part of 2011. This means carriers such as KQ cannot fly into and out of countries undergoing conflict.

The other problem that KQ faces is the delivery of the planes. According to the Embraer 2010 annual report, the airline manufacturer has a backlog of about 157 planes for the E-190 jets. This is why KQ is looking at other manufacturers as well.

“I am sure Embraer will not like the fact that we do not propose to put all our eggs in one basket,” said Mr Naikuni.

KQ has planes to acquire nine more Boeing aircraft, which will mostly go towards replacing its ageing fleet.

“We note that KQ’s current ageing fleet, cumulatively, has an inefficient jet fuel burn-off rate that continues to keep the airline’s fuel costs high,” said Kestrel Capital analysts in a research note following the airlines release of its full year results at the beginning of June.

The analysts estimate KQ fuel costs rose to Ksh1.93 per available seat kilometre during the full year ended March 2011 compared with Ksh1.55 per available seat kilometre for the corresponding period in 2010

rwandair has a longway to go as much as they are trying to acquire new 737-momentarily i don't think they have the clout-strategically competing with KQ would not be in their best interest.the smaller airlines have to regroup their strategies asap.fly540 is underfunded as much as it came as a low cost strategy it has not wrestled alot control from KQ-because KQ matches their prices-also their compounded with her issues such plane acquisition,human resources-i.e pilots,areas of operations,i think if airlink and fly540 merged-it would bring to fully bring it on with KQ-marshall all of their resources-ithink african airlines like being solo-to their fault,fly540 does not have any major strengths to fully compete with KQ-kq knows that.fly540 has potential but with no further investment into it-it will never fully realize it.

Interesting you say that. KQ's CEO seems to have the same viewpoints as you...

from that article I posted:
There are more airlines also looking at Africa for growth opportunities. Some, such as RwandAir, are also looking to expand their fleet.

But according to KQ managing director Titus Naikuni, many African carriers remain too small to compete against larger players, so the best way forward is to merge. The challenge is getting African governments to open up to the possibility of mergers of national carriers.

“The problem is not the airlines, it is with governments who are not willing to enter into mergers,” said Mr Naikuni in an interview with The EastAfrican.

african airlines are so predictable to a tee...nothing much has changed with them.doing the sameo everyday scrapping here and there.thinking they will continue making money.eddeux.fly540 and airlink might end up not being in existence in 5-10 yrs from now.these airlines operate on hand to mouth-thinking they will earn zillions-yet don't realize the big boy on the block is working 24-7 to attack,solidify, expand its business.these airlines have to realize to make money-you invest-if you can't fold-up-period.i have observed fly540 and airlink-they are still there surviving.i don't think this market is for survivers.i am not sure what strategy they are using.with a giant like KQ you can't go head to head with them in terms in competition.you have to look-what is it you have to offer-product-they are offering airline service,but what really sets apart from kq apart from the prices,type of aircraft,routes.they have to think deeper and seriously.

Treasury slashes allocation for KQ rights issue
BDA (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Treasury+slashes+allocation+for+KQ+rights+issue/-/539552/1231546/-/item/0/-/b9ousfz/-/index.html)


Treasury has cut by more than half the cash allocated to buy Kenya Airways shares in the forthcoming rights issue, but insisted that it will defend its full stake in the national carrier.

Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta had set aside Sh5.5 billion in the June budget for participation in the rights issue, as the government said it was keen on avoiding dilution of its 23 per cent stake in Kenya Airways.

MPs however slashed to Sh2.5 billion the funds set aside for participation in the share sale, according to the amended expenditure estimates tabled in Parliament.

Sources at the Treasury said the government had re-allocated some of the cash to the famine relief kitty, opting to pay for the KQ rights issue in two tranches.

“We will still defend our stake but the payment will be in parts as there was a feeling that the process would be at the end of this year,” said a senior Treasury official on condition of anonymity. “The payment could be spread with the balance provided for in the next financial year or the supplementary budget.”

In the two-tranche settlement plan the company would book the issue as fully exercised but hold the amount as credit to the government to be settled with the second payment, the Treasury official explained.

“If the plan is not acceptable with the company, we will organise a syndicate to pay the amount,” he added.

A syndication arrangement would involve the government inviting other stakeholders, mainly state corporations, to help bridge the financing gap ensuring that its shareholding is not diluted.

A failure by the government to defend its full stake would see its shareholding diluted, effectively putting to question the national carrier tag and flag-bearing role enjoyed by KQ.

Treasury is said to have made the decision based on the fact that the capital raising process had not taken off and would take place at the end of the year or early next year giving it time to meet other pressing needs for cash.

Prolonged drought in North Eastern had forced Treasury to re-prioritise its expenditure, building up a Sh10 billion fund to support relief efforts.

Kenya Airways is expected to come to the market seeking extra capital to finance its expansion plans, especially purchase of planes to enable it venture into in new routes.

KQ said it had not received any communication from treasury on the matter.

Early this year, Kestrel Capital, reported that KQ would be raising $250 million (Sh22 billion) through a rights issue. The company has been silent on the issue but the government’s actions are a firm indicator of the company’s intentions given that the government sits on the KQ board.

Analysts have also pointed out that the current macroeconomics indicators also favour use of a rights issue rather than debt to raise funds.

“It would also be very expensive right now for them to seek debt by issuing a bond given the current interest rates,” said Fred Mweni of Tsavo Securities.

The Sh5.5 billion initially set aside would have helped the government defend its full stake.

The government holds 23 per cent of the company’s 461,615,483 shares, being the second largest shareholder after KLM which has 26 per cent shareholding.

KQ has a capital base of Sh23.1 billion. It reported a net profit of Sh3.5 billion as at end of year 2010/2011.

kenya airways is a safe bet for me...in the short run they might encounter some bumps...overall.i love kQ.

i am not really sure why delta airlines is trying to fly to kenya,while they in the same team in sky alliance with KQ.can't they work with KQ with the already established routes.bottom line kenya airways is better in service-delta nickel and dime for their services.

it would be sweet for KQ to fly to either atlanta or dfw...dfw is hungry for more international airlines,perfect incentives for them to move to dfw.

KQ lands another Embraer E190 jet
Capital FM Business (http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2011/09/12/kq-lands-another-embraer-e190-jet/)

National carrier Kenya Airways has taken delivery of a new Embraer E190 jet which is part of 10 planes to be delivered under a deal with leasing company Jetscape.

The 96-seater aircraft touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Sunday night from Brazil and is expected into service within the next two weeks.

“With our route network expansion firmly on course, the addition of a new aircraft into the fleet is quite timely,” said the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni.

The plane was part of five E190 and five E170 jets that were to be delivered in a deal signed between the carrier and Jetscape, the Embraer leasing company in July last year.

Already, the five E170s have been delivered, while two more E190s are to arrive in November this year and early next year respectively.

“The third Embraer E190 arrival is in fulfilment of an order that the airline placed last year. The first jet was delivered in December 2010 with the second jet joining KQ fleet in June this year. Two more E190 jets are yet to be delivered,” the CEO explained.

KQ to give details of planned rights issue Thursday
BDA (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/KQ+to+give+details+of+planned+rights+issue+Thursday/-/539552/1235740/-/jjpuad/-/)

Kenya Airways is expected to announce details of an anticipated rights issue Thursday, paving way for launch of the stock market’s largest ever secondary capital call.

The national carrier has invited investors, stockbrokers and analysts to a briefing on Thursday, where it is expected to announce timelines of the rights issue targeting to raise an estimated Sh22 billion.

The airline issued a statement Tuesday saying it will be seeking shareholders’ approval on October 14 to increase share capital of the company.

Top Kenya Airways (KQ) shareholders-—Treasury and European carrier KLM— have already confirmed their planned participation in the issue, which ideally means about 49 per cent will be taken up. The two jointly control 49 per cent of KQ.

Mr Gregory Waweru, a research analyst at Kestrel Capital said KQ’s senior management was likely to reveal the timing of the proposed issue in the Thursday meeting.

KQ B737-8AL

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6121629906_af95560bd2_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6121633842_44cb9796e5_b.jpg
both by atom.UK (http://www.flickr.com/photos/atom-uk/sets/72157626376975225/)

beautiful jet...thanks eddeux

KQ to start flights to Jeddah next month
Daily Nation (http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/KQ+to+start+flights+to+Jeddah+next+month+/-/1006/1237594/-/f4564s/-/)
16 September 2011
National carrier Kenya Airways will introduce flights to the Middle Eastern city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, starting October 18 this year.

This will be the airline’s 56th global destination and the third in the Middle East.

Kenya Airways will operate the route twice a week — every Tuesday and Saturday — on a Boeing 737-800.

The service highlights Kenya Airways plans to expand its network in Africa and the world. The flights will give Kenyans and other regional and international travellers direct access from Nairobi to the oil-rich nation.

Economic capital

Located in the middle of the Eastern coast of the Red Sea, Jeddah is the economic and tourist capital of Saudi Arabia. It has a population of about 3.4 million people and is the country’s second largest city after the capital Riyadh.

Dr Titus Naikuni, the airline’s group managing director, said Jeddah has great economic importance as a trading partner with several African and European countries. It is also the gateway to the Holy City of Mecca.

Dr Naikuni said Kenya Airways would add new routes to its network this year and improve the efficiency of the existing ones.

“We are adding new aircraft and establishing additional frequencies on the high traffic routes. Recently we acquired our eighth Embraer E-190 jet and another one is going through final tests before its delivery next month,” he said.

He added: “The Middle East has great potential for tourists. The new service by Kenya Airways will make it easier to bring in visitors to explore Kenya.”

Jeddah has variously been ranked as one of the top cities in the Middle East in terms of innovation. It hosts a large expatriate community and is one of the more cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East

if you want to get some good kenya Airways videos.
http://www.vikingaviationphoto.com/webshop/?utm_source=Flight+Deck+Action+Information&utm_campaign=ce73bd3188-October_2011_Newsletter10_10_2011&utm_medium=email

B777
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6156572222_aa7c4836d4_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54878070@N02/6156572222/sizes/l/in/photostream/

KQ targets bigger capacity Boeings
BusinessDailyAfrica (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/KQ+targets+bigger+capacity+Boeings+/-/539550/1254582/-/item/0/-/ji8mq8/-/index.html)

Kenya Airways is to acquire two bigger Boeing planes to put its expansion plan on track as it seeks to connect more African cities and the rest of the world through Nairobi.

The Boeing 777-300 Extended Aircraft, which carries 78 more passengers and extra cargo capacity than the current fleet will be delivered between October 2013 and May 2014 in what will boost KQ’s margins on lower cost per traveller.

“With the increased passenger and cargo capacity that the Boeing 777-300 ER offers, we are pleased with this development as it will see Kenya Airways significantly increase tonnage and passenger capacity,” the airline’s CEO Titus Naikuni said.

The two Boeing planes will be leased from General Electric — which is intensifying its reach in Africa — and it will carry passengers and cargo between Nairobi and Amsterdam, Bangkok, Guangzhou, and Dubai.

The main source of passengers for these routes will be the African cities mainly in western and central Africa where KQ has intensified expansion.

It is eyeing more routes in Africa to rev up its earnings in a continent that generates 49 per cent of its Sh85.8 billion revenue and it is expected that its destinations will increase from the current 53 to 91 in five years — increasing the airline’s appetite for new planes and pilots.

“It (KQ) targets to have six new routes every year and to have daily frequencies on long haul routes,” African Alliance Securities said in a research note.

KQ and Eritrea Airlines set for turf war over the Nairobi-Asmara route
BDA (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/KQ+and+Eritrea+Airlines+set+for+turf+war/-/539550/1243484/-/n0udqmz/-/)

Kenya Airways and Eritrean Airlines are set for a major turf war as both national carriers finalise plans to launch new routes between Asmara and Nairobi.

Asmara-based Eritrean Airlines is expected to resume flights to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by November, ending a six-year absence since it stopped flying to Kenya.

The airline’s commercial manager, Mr Berhane Mehari, told the Business Daily that it would target both passenger and cargo business in Nairobi, which would serve as a link to current and future destinations in Southern Africa, Europe and Middle East.

Kenya Airways is also plans to start flights to Asmara next year after it shelved a similar move in 2006 on trade restrictions by the Eritrean government, including a compulsory use of the local currency.

“We shall use three aeroplanes to launch the flights to Kenya,” Mr Mehari said. “We are targeting cargo, leisure, and business travellers from Europe to Africa.”

The two carriers are set for stiff competition, especially in the Kenyan market, which is attracting airlines seeking growth opportunities on the rising profile of the country as a major transport hub.

“Asmara is one of the destinations we will be flying to in 2012,” said Kenya Airway communications manager, Chris Karanja.
“Relations between the two countries have improved and we don’t foresee a major regulatory barrier.”

Currently, three airlines ply the Nairobi-Asmara route, namely Egypt Air, Lufthansa Airlines and Sudan Air.

Eritrean Airlines is seeking a station manager to look after its business in Nairobi where its cargo and passenger operations will be represented by a general sales agent.

The airline’s fleet consists of an Airbus A320-200, a Boeing 767-200ER, with plans to acquire another Airbus plane next month.

B767-36N/ER
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6042/6222911723_73f8dd84e0_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59783485@N04/6222911723/sizes/l/in/photostream/

KQ flight attendants during World Cup last year

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/31836_401794673799_47572703799_4418089_4808913_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/31836_401794698799_47572703799_4418090_6075445_n.jpg

MD-11

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/4190981729_7bca59d59e_b.jpg

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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4191779440_42b9c7b49b_b.jpg
all by hmwawasi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33050289@N04/)

B777 Pics

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/9625_153030128799_47572703799_2795128_659230_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/9625_153065753799_47572703799_2795327_6027023_n.jpg

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http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/9625_153080698799_47572703799_2795426_5617379_n.jpg

MD-11

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/4190981729_7bca59d59e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/4191031529_25b368f1aa_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/4191810342_4d8a15a9db_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4191779440_42b9c7b49b_b.jpg
all by hmwawasi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33050289@N04/)

i never knew that KQ have a MD11

^^it was just a lease

it might be an md11,this are large aircrafts...it looks like its owned by klm not kenya airways.

I had to fly domestic with KQ last month. I took some photos that I'd like to share here:

KQ B737-300 in NBO for my onward flight to Mombasa
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6227/6218478315_1be999e2b5_z.jpg

Then on my MBA-NBO flight. They moved me to an earlier flight, which is a B737-800 type.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6219100225_435e9ca673_z.jpg

The earlier flight was delayed, so there was only like 10 min of distance between these two flights:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6219620568_e9cf6d5082_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6219618114_72358dcab9_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6041/6219104379_62106f465e_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6219627730_11f270ee44_z.jpg

And finally in NBO
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6117/6219630772_7962f3c310_z.jpg

very nice of pictures,kenya airways pride of africa.

Shareholders approve KQ Rights Issue
Capital FM Business (http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2011/10/shareholders-approve-kq-rights-issue/)

NAIROBI, Kenya -

Kenya Airways shareholders have approved plans by the airline to double its share capital as well as a Rights Issue.

KQ is in the process of raising funds to finance its fleet expansion and modernisation program.

Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni however says the airline’s board has not yet formalised when the rights issue will be done or how much its intending to raise.

“We have a rough idea of the amount, but we are required to not disclose the amount until we get approval from the Capital Markets Authority,” Naikuni told journalists following an Annul General Meeting.

Following the shareholder approval, the board of directors formed a sub committee, charged with formalising the deal.

Naikuni said directors would determine the size and timing of the Rights Issue once regulatory approval has been granted in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, where the airline is cross-listed.

“The Rights Issue is very critical to the growth and expansion plans of the airline. The Board believes that in order for KQ to grow its fleet and route network, it is necessary to raise additional capital,” he said.

Kenya Airways current share capital is Sh5 billion, according to the agenda circulated at Friday’s meeting. KQ Group Financial Director Alex Mbugua said the company plans to create one billion new shares.

“Our balance sheet is quite small at the moment hence why we want to boost our equity,” Mbugua said.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 33 aircraft (that includes nine Embraers, 15 Boeing 737s, five Boeing 767s and four Boeing 777s). It however plans to more than triple its aircraft fleet to 107 by 2020.

In August, the company agreed to buy 10 aircraft from Brazil-based Embraer and signed an option to acquire another 16 from the Brazilian manufacturer.

It has also signed a leasing agreement with General Electric Aviation Services (GECAS) two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Naikuni said the plans are to use a mixture of the rights issue funds and debt to finance the fleet expansion.

“The money from the rights issue will fund the pre-delivery element of the purchases since we are required to put down some money even before the aircraft are delivered,” he said.

Local travellers to start paying Kenya Airways in US dollars
Nation (http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Local+travellers+to+start+paying+Kenya+Airways+in+US+dollars+/-/1006/1258280/-/2igg43z/-/)

Kenyans will start paying for domestic flights in US dollars from next week, as Kenya Airways moves to protect its revenues from the volatile shilling.

The airline, which has been charging domestic flights in Kenya shillings, now says passengers will from October 24, be required to pay for tickets in dollars.

This means that passengers travelling on domestic routes, which include Mombasa, Malindi and Kisumu, will be affected, as majority of payments for these routes have relied on the Kenya shilling as opposed to international flights, whose prices are pegged on the US dollar.

Mobile money payment platforms that are currently operated in Kenya shillings could also be disrupted.

The move makes Kenya Airways the latest local firm to have lost patience with the shilling’s fluctuations.

“We always charge in dollars for international flights and this change is meant to protect the company from a fluctuating shilling,” the airline’s communications manager, Mr Chris Karanja, told Nation by phone.

However, its main domestic rival, Fly540, has chosen to stick with the shilling.

The Kenya shilling has been one of the worst performing currencies this year, after it fell to trade at Sh107 against the dollar, early this month.

However, it has turned around this week, gaining by over 8 per cent to close yesterday’s trading at Sh100.20/100.40 against the dollar but weaker than Tuesday’s close of 99.20/40.

KQ’s profits have been on the rise with last year’s results showing a 73.9 per cent increase in net profits to Sh3.5 billion, up from Sh2 billion earned in 2010.

737-8AL
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6136709087_29477feaa5_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atom-uk/6136709087/in/photostream/

767-33A ER
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6136707037_9bccf77d7a_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atom-uk/6136707037/in/photostream/

Any infos about Kenya Airways Cargo ? When is the first flight ?

Thanks:cheers:

Kenya Airways sees passenger numbers rise 18 pc
BDA (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Kenya+Airways+sees+passenger+numbers+rise+18+pc/-/539550/1262744/-/12dk5t9/-/index.html)

Kenya Airways registered 18 percent growth in passenger volume in its second quarter, aided by route expansion and greater flight frequency in Africa, it said on Thursday.

The airline, 26 percent owned by Air France-KLM , said passenger numbers rose to 1,004,476 in the three months from July to September.

The amount of cargo carried was up 13.5 percent at 16,021 tonnes, on improved conditions and increased sales.

Kenya Airways said in a statement new destinations launched in the second half of 2010 included Italy, Mozambique, and Malindi in Kenya, while Chad and Burkina Faso were launched in the first half of 2011.

It plans a rights issue to raise an unspecified amount of money for route and fleet expansion. The airline wants to double its fleet in the next five years to extend its network in Africa.

Passenger haulage within Kenya was up 42 percent to 202,826, while the rest of the continent excluding Kenya generated 14 percent growth to 509,570. Africa contributes about 60 percent of the airline's revenue.

Among the routes to see higher passenger numbers were Bamako, Dakar. The airline also introduced flights to Ouagadougou and N'Djamena, through Cotonou.

Europe registered an 11 percent increase in passenger numbers to 158,247, while volume to and from Middle East, the Far East and India rose 19 percent to 133,833.

Any infos about Kenya Airways Cargo ? When is the first flight ?

Thanks:cheers:

I hop to be the first one is khartoum!!!:)

I had to fly domestic with KQ last month. I took some photos that I'd like to share here:

KQ B737-300 in NBO for my onward flight to Mombasa
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6227/6218478315_1be999e2b5_z.jpg

Then on my MBA-NBO flight. They moved me to an earlier flight, which is a B737-800 type.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6219100225_435e9ca673_z.jpg

The earlier flight was delayed, so there was only like 10 min of distance between these two flights:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6219620568_e9cf6d5082_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6219618114_72358dcab9_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6041/6219104379_62106f465e_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6219627730_11f270ee44_z.jpg

And finally in NBO
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6117/6219630772_7962f3c310_z.jpg

salamat ph man. napakaganda pics.:okay: If that is the most appropriate word for them.:D

More info on KQ's fleet expansion

KQ to triple fleet size in ten years
Nairobi Star (http://www.the-star.co.ke/business/local/48067-kq-unveils-10-year-plan)

Kenya Airways has unveiled a new 10-year plan where it envisages trebling its fleet from the current 31 planes to 107 by 2021. The ambitious plan will also see the national carrier fly to 115 destinations including two routes to North America. During the period it will also open six new destinations in China and five in India.

Key to the plan will be the acquisition of 26 long-range Boeing 787 Dreamliners supported by 31 regional Embraer 190s and a mix of Boeing 777s and 737s. “The Board has taken cognisance of the cyclical traffic demand and has approved a ten year plan that will enable Kenya Airways remain competitive by positioning itself to capture traffic flows in the future,” the company said in a statement. Plans are underway to float a rights issue expected to target more than Sh20billion which will be used toward payment for the first Dreamliners that will be delivered in 2013.

According to Industry practice, down payment for new jets is supposed to be done 24 months before delivery. KQ which reported a half-year pre-tax profit of Sh2.8billion last week said it was now breaking even on its new routes in record time perhaps encouraging the expansion. “Like Jeddah, the first flight we made, we made money,” CEO Titus Naikuni said during the investor briefing on Thursday.

The airline will also set up a cargo division with a director once its starts flying freighters. In the next four weeks it expects delivery of a Boeing 747 freighter that will fly from China to Nairobi. Two smaller 737 freighters will be used to feed and defeed the 747. Its ageing 767 long-haul jets will be retired to pave way for the 787 Dreamliners.

Two Dreamliners are expected to come in 2013 and five more in 2014. By 2015, KQ aims to have a fleet of 68 planes. The airline will bring in 60 -70 expatriate pilots to captain its planes over the next two years as there is a shortage of experienced captains in the country. To better ward off competition in the region, the national carrier will form a subsidiary low-cost carrier named Jambo Jet that will take on both local rivals Jetlink and Fly 540 as well as newcomers. Etihad Airlines is said to be one of those planning to enter the regional stakes. KQ’s main challenges will be the cost of fuel, competition and aero-politics.

That's far but good news.;)

I hop to be the first one is khartoum!!!:)

The KQ cargo service has been around since 2004 I think. By the way,
JKIA is now the largest cargo handling airport in Africa for exports.

Dreamliner to make debut landing at JKIA
Business Daily (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Dreamliner+to+make+debut+landing+at+JKIA/-/539550/1272492/-/114m08dz/-/index.html)
14 November 2011
The Dreamliner Boeing 787 — which first took to the skies in September — will make its debut landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before the end of the year.

A team from Kenya Airways is expected to fly in the plane, which would carry selected passengers for a short flight to give travellers a taste of the Dreamliner experience.

Kenya Airways has an order for nine Dreamliners, with the option to take four. The first of its order is expected in October 2013, two years behind schedule.

The company is looking to increase its fleet to more than 100, move to new destinations and increase frequencies on lucrative routes over the next 10-years.

To achieve this growth strategy, the airline expects to raise part of the money in a rights issue. The date and amount of money the airline wants to raise are yet to be made public.

However, a note from NIC Securities, said KQ is expected to raise at least Sh23 billion. It predicts that the airline may discount its share by up to 22 per cent in the rights issue. This would put the price at about Sh20 a share.

Alex Mbugua, KQ’s financial director, told investors last month that part of the money raised would go towards pre-delivery payments for the Dreamliner. Airlines are expected to make payments for aircraft two years before delivery.

“The first pre-delivery payment should have gone last month and that is why we are coming to the market now,” he said.

So the dreamliner making a debut at JKIA isn't KQ's?

Nah, they're letting Kenya Airways have a "taster" of it.

JKIA is lucky to get the test of it!:cheers2:

Kenya Airways stick to its guns as some hoteliers complain about dollar fares
eTurbo News (http://www.eturbonews.com/26179/kenya-airways-stick-its-guns-some-hoteliers-complain-about-dolla)

Rumbles from within the tourism industry are slowly emerging over Kenya Airways’ recent introduction of US dollar-based domestic fares, which can be paid with the equivalent of Kenya shillings at the exchange rate valid on the day of the transaction.

“We need to be able to offer packages to the coast, for instance, at a fixed price in Kenya Shillings and clients do not like the uncertainty to be asked for extra money in case the shilling goes down against the dollar, and we also do not like to give the impression we are keeping clients’ money when the shilling goes up, and they have paid a certain amount for their round trip to say Malindi or Mombasa. We were not asked for our opinion, and yet a lot of clients fly to the coast, because we sell them domestic packages. Maybe Kenya Airways could rethink this decision,” said a periodic source from Nairobi when asked for an opinion.

Meanwhile though, a regular source from Embakasi, has as usual on condition of anonymity, insisted it was the right thing to do under the circumstances: “… and our international fares have always been given in dollars, and travelers had to use their shillings at the day’s exchange rate to pay, if they had not changed into dollars already. The domestic market is a difficult one, and we, last year and this year, made fantastic offers for stand-by tickets and for pre-booked and prepaid fares. It is the circumstances, the cost of fuel, which is in dollars, which made the airline reconsider. Depending on where the shilling goes, our passengers may have to put in less shillings, so they can even benefit.”

The emerging arguments, however, also show that the decision was not universally welcomed and other airlines flying on the main jet routes, like JetLink, have vowed to retain a shilling fare come what may, as they are trying to claw back market share through such means, too.

KQ Flights over Burundi
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6040/6249396683_06efc2ed6f_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/noodlepie/6249396683/sizes/l/in/photostream/

KQ B767-600 ER by Siddarth Bandary (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75061930@N00/)

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6108/6233990201_5268791f10_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6104/6234512444_8bb9efd826_b.jpg

KQ B767-600 ER by Siddarth Bandary (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75061930@N00/)

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6108/6233990201_5268791f10_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6104/6234512444_8bb9efd826_b.jpg

Thats Bombay (Mumbai) International Airport, India.

i am not really sure why delta airlines is trying to fly to kenya,while they in the same team in sky alliance with KQ.can't they work with KQ with the already established routes.bottom line kenya airways is better in service-delta nickel and dime for their services.


Two reasons;
1. The US government is playing politics to deny the KQ flights to America by using security in Kenya as an excuse. (Prior to that they proclaimed JKIA wasn't up to 'US FAA specs')
2. KQ still hasn't seen a high demand for direct flights to the US from Kenya. When the new terminal is completed in two years, JKIA will have a lot of regional fliers use the airport as a transit point to North America therefore bypassing Europe. KQ will fly to America in probably two-three years time.

And you're right, when Delta started flights to Africa (JNB, DKR & LIR), they mostly used their beat up, last leg, rickety planes on those routes. They saved their nicer newer ones for Europe & Asia travel. When KQ starts flights to the US (probably with a stop in Dakar), they will take away a lot of Deltas' business.

Two reasons;
1. The US government is playing politics to deny the KQ flights to America by using security in Kenya as an excuse. (Prior to that they proclaimed JKIA wasn't up to 'US FAA specs')
2. KQ still hasn't seen a high demand for direct flights to the US from Kenya. When the new terminal is completed in two years, JKIA will have a lot of regional fliers use the airport as a transit point to North America therefore bypassing Europe. KQ will fly to America in probably two-three years time.

And you're right, when Delta started flights to Africa (JNB, DKR & LIR), they mostly used their beat up, last leg, rickety planes on those routes. They saved their nicer newer ones for Europe & Asia travel. When KQ starts flights to the US (probably with a stop in Dakar), they will take away a lot of Deltas' business.

I wonder what North American cities? I think NY will definitely be one, but what about the other? D.C.? Chicago? Toronto?

the us is very selective as who flies into their country, they give preference to their own airlines, yet they cry insecurity...trust me its to pave way for american airlines to fly here at the expenses of african airlines...its so much of africa airlines getting a raw deal...unless they tow the line like ethiopia...we might not be flying there.

african business are always getting a raw deal when it comes to their products/services finding their way here in europe or america.yet they dump goods in africa under the disguise of creating opportunities or aid,aid,aid,aid-see what they have done to african farmers, whose opportunity are they creating for....some give a break...

the us is very selective as who flies into their country, they give preference to their own airlines, yet they cry insecurity...
Insecurity in NBO was the reason given why Delta (an american airline) was not allowed to fly to kenya. Get your facts right before complaining.

I believe the reason why Delta was planning to fly to Kenya instead of Kenya airways to USA, was simply because KQ does not have suitable planes available for the trip. At least until KQ gets the 787 dreamliner.

Ethiopian has 777-200LR which allows non-stop flights to US.

ketai ithink you believe everything you read in the news...suit yourself homeboy...insecurity...really...give me a break...

ketai in what stratosphere are you in...who doesn't know that the reason they declined...insecurity.thats what they say on the surface.touch base with some globalization/economics classes/books ...see where we heading...the neopoliticos will catch you flatfooted...

I wonder what North American cities? I think NY will definitely be one, but what about the other? D.C.? Chicago? Toronto?

Kenya airways will use slots at Delta's hubs on the eastern seaboard with connecting flights provided by Delta. The current ones on the eastern US are Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta & JFK in New York.

Insecurity in NBO was the reason given why Delta (an american airline) was not allowed to fly to kenya. Get your facts right before complaining.

I believe the reason why Delta was planning to fly to Kenya instead of Kenya airways to USA, was simply because KQ does not have suitable planes available for the trip. At least until KQ gets the 787 dreamliner.

Ethiopian has 777-200LR which allows non-stop flights to US.

Planes:
I have to disagree with you completely on that one. KQ was ready for Kenya-USA flights in 2004 when it recieved its first B777-2ER. Now KQ has 4 B777-2ER. Delta uses A330-300 on flights to Lagos, A330 have a max range of 10,000km, while B777-2ER have a range of 14,300km. While the distance between Atlanta and Nairobi is just over 12,939km.

Unfortunatley due to Nairobi being so high above sea level, a non-stop flight from Nairobi to Atlanta cannot be achieved especially if the plane is full of PAX and cargo, so a stop-over will have to be made in West Africa. Most probably Lagos.

Insecurity:
I highly doubt this is the reason that the flights were stopped. Why dont the British ban BA from flying to Nairobi, or the Dutch with KLM? Or goverments from the other numerous international airlines that fly into JKIA??? Isn't this the same Kenya we are talking about or what???

Has anyone seen KQ's new website design? I really like it. Gives it a much more international carrier feel.

Kenya Airways seeks to expand Mideast service
Gulf News (http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/kenya-airways-seeks-to-expand-mideast-service-1.948927)


Dubai: With the Nairobi-Dubai route currently accounting for around 12 per cent of Kenya Airways' revenue, the African carrier is looking to expand its Middle East presence.

"We have a 10-year growth plan in which the Middle East features prominently. While we currently operate to Dubai, Muscat and Jeddah, future plans include launching services to Beirut, increasing frequency to Dubai to 14 a week, and also looking at a few other cities in the Middle East," Abraham Joseph, Kenya Airways regional manager for the Middle East and Pakistan, told Gulf News.

He added that the carrier expects to contribute a better share from the region over the next two to three years, and at present enjoys a healthy load factor of 85 per cent on the Kenya-UAE route.

Outlining improved profitability achieved by Kenya Airways in the half-year ended September 30 against the year earlier period, the carrier stated that the Middle East passenger numbers grew by 24 per cent.

"The response to our newly-launched Jeddah route has been very positive, which adds to our success," said Joseph.

Kenya Airways ups talent war with pilots hiring
BDA (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Kenya+Airways+ups+talent+war+with+pilots+hiring+/-/539546/1287690/-/cwh0e4z/-/)

The national carrier on Friday began the search for pilots for its Boeing 737 planes and the recently acquired Brazilian Embraer — which are mainly used in domestic and short regional routes.

Aviation players say KQ will need to hire at least 200 more pilots from its current 377 over the next five years to back its plan to grow its fleet from 33 aircraft to 62 by 2016, which will allow it to connect the bulk of Africa travellers to the rest of the world through its Nairobi hub.

“As part of our ambitious growth plan, we seek to employ direct entry pilot captains for our Boeing 737 and Embraer E170/190 fleet,” said Kenya Airways in a notice, adding that the pilots must have flown for a minimum of 4,000 hours.

This signals that the airline is eager to tap the talent pool of rival carriers such as Fly540, Jetlink and other regional operators in what would lead to a season of staff poaching.

B777-2U8(ER)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6486553465_b3418bafd4_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6486552345_c27deb4066_b.jpg
from eko56
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/ek056/)

KQ targets China, India with Boeing planes for growth
BDA (http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/KQ+targets+China++India+with+Boeing+planes+for+growth/-/539550/1290042/-/141qbywz/-/index.html)

Kenya Airways is eyeing routes in India and China to tap the growing trade between Asia and Africa.

The national carrier is planning to open six new destinations in each of the twin countries helped by the new planes its set to acquire in coming months to cut its heavy reliance on the European and African routes.

Presently, the national carrier operates single daily flights to China and India, although expansion to new routes has been curtailed by lack of planes.

Now, KQ is targeting to boost its presence in the Asian market helped by the plan to double its fleet from the current 33 to 62 by 2016—which will allow it to connect the bulk of travellers from African cities to Asia through its Nairobi hub.

Presently, KQ draws 49 per cent of its Sh85.8 billion revenue annually from its Africa routes, 27 per cent (Europe), 10 per cent (Middle East), nine per cent (Asia) and five per cent from its domestic routes.

Its target is to have the Asian routes contribute double digit share of its revenues, thanks to increased trade volumes between the continent and Africa.

Kenya Airways is pursuing the strategy of connecting more African cities to Nairobi using short distance planes like Embraer and putting them in larger Boeing planes to Europe and Asia.

Kenya Airways Trains More Pilots & Confirms Purchase Of B787 Dreamliner.

http://in2eastafrica.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Dreamliner.jpg


Kenya Airways is making an all-out effort to increase the number of first officers and captains for its growing fleet. The airline recently sent eight more pilots to South Africa for ab initio training, bringing the total number of trainee in the country to 45. Based at the 43 Air School, in Port Alfred, trainees are going through a rigorous scheduled to equip them with the necessary technical skills to enable them join the ranks in Kenya Airways flight operations.

The airlines group human resource director, Paul Kasimu, said that the airline was focusing on increasing the number pilots in tandem with the increase and renewal of its current fleet, as well as to meet he demands of the planned route network expansion. Kenya Airways guarantees permanent employment to every pilot who completes the training programme.Currently, 229 has trained in South Africa, with 158 having qualified and joined Kenya Airways. The airline has a total of 377 pilots in its cockpit crew complement.

Kenya Airways Confirms Dream liner Purchase
Kenya Airways and Boeing have reached a final settlement agreement on the delayed delivery of nine Boeing 787-8 Dream liners. This follows a series of negotiations with Boeing regarding the delivery of the aircraft.

The aircraft were initially ordered in 2006 and were due for delivery in 2010.In show of confidence for the long awaited aircraft; the airline has now confirmed an addition of four more Dream liners which will be exercised as an option after the delivery of the confirmed nine aircraft on order.

In the new agreement, the first Boeing 787 Dream liner is due to be delivered by the fourth quarter of 2013. The Dream liners will come in at a time that the airline predicts a momentous growth in passenger and cargo demand and rapidly expanding route network.

Speaking to the media after signing the agreement in Nairobi, Kenya Airways group managing director and chief executive officer, Titus Naikuni, announced that the airline planned to fly out of every African capital city by 2013.”The 787 Dream liner fits well with our expansion strategy, giving us an opportunity to expand our markets beyond the current offering while cementing our mandate of connecting Africa to the World and the World to Africa through our hub at JKIA, by increasing our network and frequency increment across Africa,” said Naikuni.

“Today marks a major milestone for us in our fleet modernization programme,” he added, noting that the confirmation of the 787 delivery was very much in line with KQs strategy to grow its network.”We can only achieve our expansion strategy with the right equipment and we are particularly pleased with Boeing, that despite the delay experienced in the 787 programme, they have committed to the time-lines that we have now signed on,” noted Naikuni.

The B787-8s will be used to replace the ageing B767 aircraft as well as open up new long range routes. The B7878 is a family of aircraft carrying between 200 to 300 passengers on routes between 3500 and 8500 nautical miles.

The Dream liners will use 20% less fuel than other aircraft of its class with up to 45% more cargo revenue capacity. This will help to leverage the airlines escalating fuel bill in addition to diversifying its revenue base which is heavily reliant on passengers.

Kenya Airways plans to raise part of the funds to finance the order from investment options available from the Nairobi Stock Exchange with a target of raising $250-million, with the rest coming from other financing institutions and internal sources.

The current offer price of a Boeing 787-8 Dream liner is $185, 2-million.This means the total confirmed order will amount to $1,6-billion less the negotiated discount offered, which was not revealed at the signing of the agreement.

With the new jumbo jets airlines will now be able to charge affordable airfares as the savings on fuel and fleet will be shared in between the airline and the passengers. Also through fleet modernization the airlines will have to train their pilots to be equipped with skills and knowledge to fly the new aircraft and have new trainees to take the position of those who have moved to the new aircraft.
Anthony Juma.
http://www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com

^^"The current offer price of a Boeing 787-8 Dream liner is $185, 2-million.This means the total confirmed order will amount to $1,6-billion less the negotiated discount offered, which was not revealed at the signing of the agreement"

Now that explains why Mr Titus Naikuni (KQ CEO) was giddy when the touring showpiece Dreamliner landed in Kenya even though the delivery date was pushed back to Q1 in 2014. Including the initial payout from Boeing for the first delay, now they (KQ) get an even bigger discount for the total order! You can't beat that deal. Just speculating here, but from the big discounts Airbus was giving out during the Dubai Air show, Boeing had no choice. Airbus has the A350-8 XWB which is a direct competitor to the Dreamliner-8 coming with an expected EIS date projected at 2015-2016. (Sooner for the A350-9)

Hopefully when Kenya Airways gets back under it's borrowing margin, they can place orders for the A350. Problem why Kenya Airways is stuck with Boeing aircraft orders is because, believe it or not, there's a shortage of Airbus certified pilots in the region which would otherwise mean higher wages. But the airline industry in Africa is growing exponentially and that will be addressed in the coming 4-6 years.

P.S If anybody was wondering why Kenya Airways has still yet to unveil it's much anticipated 747-400F cargo plane (scheduled for Oct 2011 launch), well, two reasons;
1. British Airways pre-empted them with the introduction of it's own cargo service served by a 747-4F a month ago.
2. Kenya Airways doesn't as of yet have any 747 certified pilots. Which means if they have to get the plane right now, it will be on a short term "wet lease". Which means that they will have to hire a full crew from another airline.

The previously owned plane will either emanate from Martinair Cargo or KLM Cargo fleet. Most likely the latter since they own most of Martinair 747 fleet too. The recent Kenyan military incursion into Somalia and the uncertainty with Sudan slowed things a bit. A lot of it's scheduled cargo was destined for Sudan (Tea & Coffee) and the rest was scheduled for the two B737-300F that were to be delivered in early to mid 2012.... maybe late 2012, early 2013 depending on whom you ask.

By Mugambi Mutegi

Posted Thursday, January 26 2012 at 22:12



Kenya Airways’ new local and international routes have lifted passenger numbers by 15.4 per cent, signalling the likelihood of increased profits for the national carrier.


The airline’s operational performance report for the third-quarter ended December last year indicates that passenger numbers shot up to 956,742.

Europe recorded a 14.7 per cent increase to 111,527 passengers, boosted by a new route to Rome and increased flights to London. The continent accounted for 27 per cent of their Sh85.8 billion revenue last year.

Africa routes – which bring in 49 per cent of the airline’s revenues – recorded the highest increase, posting a 26 per cent passenger growth in Kenya and a 14.1 per cent rise in other routes on the continent. The airline reported a 42 per cent growth in half-year profits, and the growth in passenger and cargo volumes is expected to boost the annual performance for the year ending March.


“With only three months to go and given that international fuel prices have eased down a bit, they are well positioned to surpass last year’s results,” said Eric Musau, an analyst with Standard Investment Bank.

The carrier is on an expansion drive that has seen it open at least five new routes per year such as Rome, increased flights to London and trips to Malindi.


The airline’s profit grew to Sh3.5 billion in the year to March compared to Sh2 billion in a similar period last year and they are now banking on the expansion plan to further grow profits.

Currently KQ flies to 56 destinations with 45 of them being in Africa and are expected to add 44 new destinations in the next five years.

Already, they have signed a deal with Embraer for supply of 10 jets over the next two years with the possibility of acquiring another 16 from the Brazilian aircraft maker. It has also signed a deal to buy nine 787-8 Dreamliner planes from Boeing to replace its ageing fleet and keep its expansion plan on track as well as three B777-300 ER.

“Kenya has a geographical advantage that makes it suitable as a hub for passengers connecting to other destinations,” said Vimal Parmar, the head of research at Kestrel Capital.


“The airline is justifiably exploiting it to start new routes and also increase capacity on existing routes”.

The Asian and Indian routes recorded the least passenger numbers in the same period. The two routes posted a 6.8 per cent improvement with 131,126 passengers in the past three months.

To remedy this, KQ in December announced plans to open six new destinations each in China and India – hoping to cut their revenue reliance on the European and African routes.

The news of the improved passenger numbers will also augur well with investors ahead of the Sh23 billion rights issue planned for later this year to fund the expansion plan which requires new aircrafts and hiring new staff.

“We expect the issue to take place before the end of the first quarter since the airline needs the money to pay for the pre-ordered airplanes,” said Mr Parmar.

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/KQ+route+expansion+lifts+passengers+by+15+4+pc+/-/539550/1314726/-/l6vixm/-/index.html

KQ warns of 25pc drop in earnings

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2012/01/kq-warns-of-25pc-drop-in-earnings/
National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) expects a 25 percent drop in earnings this financial year, despite a Sh2.8 billion profit before tax in half year ended Sept 30, 2011.

The airline experienced a reduction in revenues in the second half of the previous financial year citing the eurozone crisis, escalating fuel prices, and the political unrest in Egypt and Nigeria as major contributing factors.

“These factors are negatively impacting the second half of Kenya Airways operating results for the financial year 2011/2012,” Kenya Airways chairman Evanson Mwaniki said in a statement.

Mwaniki added that KQ’s continuous growth plans in Asia and Africa supported the airline’s Sh2.8 billion profit.

"Boeing discovers fuselage problems with 787 Dreamliner
by Shane McGinley on Feb 7, 2012

Be the first to comment





Boeing has discovered a problem related to the aft fuselage of its 787 Dreamliner planes and is making repairs that will not affect production of the aircraft, the company said in an emailed statement on Sunday.

The 787 Dreamliner is a light-weight, fuel-efficient, carbon-composite aircraft. It was three years behind its development schedule but finally entered service last year.

"Boeing has found that incorrect shimming was performed on support structure on the aft fuselage of some 787s," Boeing spokesman Scott Lefeber said.

Lefeber added, "we do not expect that it will affect our planned product rate increases," and that there are no short-term safety concerns.

Boeing aims to ramp up monthly production on the airplane to 10 by the end of 2013. Some experts believe the target rate is too ambitious, but Boeing is standing by it."

And this is why I said earlier that KQ did itself a big disservice by not ordering the A330's to shield itself from the 787 production delays. The Dreamliner delivery dates has been moved so many times (a total of 3.5 years) and still looks to be extended by the 3Q of this year!

Emirates foresaw this problem and pre-ordered a boatload of B777's & A330's and right now are sitting pretty in their expansion program. By the time KQ receives it's first 787, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar & Ethiopian airlines will have snatched up all the markets Kenya Airways was shooting for. There's an inherent advantage of being the first to offer a service, especially in the infant African aviation market where KQ is looking to establish a presence.

Loyalty in the aviation market will earn you cheap planes, but it will also cost you revenue. KQ is about to learn it the hard way.

By PAUL WAFULA
Posted Tuesday, February 14 2012 at 00:00
Kenya Airways is taxiing on the runway, readying itself for perhaps its most important takeoff in the 13 years it has been privatised.


In its cabin, the national flag carrier is ferrying what is arguably the most ambitious growth strategy in the history of Africa’s aviation industry.

Over the next five years, KQ will be looking to raise at least $3.6bn (Sh300) billion to support its expansion strategy — one of which is to double its fleet and strengthen its cargo business.

The national carrier currently has 31 airplanes flying to 48 countries worldwide. For a start, KQ will be turning to the stock market with the hope of raising between Sh20-30 billion — the management says the final decision on the amount is still pending — to fund the acquisition of a new fleet, through a rights issue.

In October last year, KQ shareholders approved a plan to double its authorised share capital to Sh10 billion and a rights issue to raise an unspecified amount of money.

In the last quarter of 2013, KQ expects to receive nine Boeing Dreamliner 787-800, with a possibility of leasing four others.

With commitment from its two principal shareholders — Dutch airline KLM, which has a 26 per cent shareholding, and the government of Kenya, which owns 23 per cent — to take up their full rights, the airline is confident of a good takeoff.

But will it fly past the rising competition for investor funds and the expected stagnation in its dividend payout to convince investors to buy the remaining 51 per cent? That is the question that the management will be seeking to answer as they prepare for the process, which will be key in the search for the remainder Sh280 billion.
Very interesting article. I hope that in the process of expanding they will work on customer care. I flew Kenya Airways two weeks ago to the UK and i was once again sorely disappointed. I encountered a rude cashier and a lethargic salesman. And my headphones were not working and i did not get a new one until 3 hours into the flight. I am sure not everyone experiences poor service, this was just my experience.


I am happy that they are expanding, but they need to work on other areas as they expand. Rather than flying everywhere and lacking in proper customer service. They need to be aggressive in that area too.

Nice story, boeing keeps on disappointing KQ with its failed deliveries. How I wish Embraer would start building larger planes, they are better at doing deliveries on time.

The 1st KQ aircraft wearing skyteam livery is 5Y-KQH (B737-700)

The 1st KQ aircraft wearing skyteam livery is 5Y-KQH (B737-700)
http://wolfganghthome.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/clip_image0045.jpg?w=570
:cheers:

I prefer the normal KQ livery

Nice story, boeing keeps on disappointing KQ with its failed deliveries. How I wish Embraer would start building larger planes, they are better at doing deliveries on time.

Embraer is on a global assault to acquire new clients for their E-175, 190 & 195 models to steal away the market away from Boeing & Airbus dominant segment of their narrow body business dominated by the B737's & A320's.

The 1st KQ aircraft wearing skyteam livery is 5Y-KQH (B737-700)

Very nice! KQ had always planned on painting one or two of their Dreamliners (787-8's) into the Sky Team livery on delivery, but as always, Boeing dropped the ball. The new KQ plane in Sky Team livery is a 737-700 plane. It's not much to look at in it's generic Kenya Airways livery, but it looks big in it's new Skyteam colors.

1st B747F Kenya Airways Cargo' : http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7312614

http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/3/6/3/7/17391_1329404736.jpg

It looks like they share it with AirFrance KLM?

I wonder who that jet belongs to. Air France, KLM, or a Chinese cargo company (see the Chinese on the tail).

1st B747F Kenya Airways Cargo' : http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7312614

http://images2.jetphotos.net/img/3/6/3/7/17391_1329404736.jpg

It looks like they share it with AirFrance KLM?

I'm grateful to you two!! I've relentlessly searched for new KQ airplane pics & news daily and I can't seem to come up with one single scoop!?!?! What am I doing wrong?? Maybe I should move back to Kenya for that! Anyways, thanks for the pics. I've been searching for a pic of that new 747-400F since September of last year.

P.S @eddeux, KLM owns practically all of Martinair 747-400 cargo fleet. That's where KQ was getting it's wide-body freighter from. The two 737-300F planned are being acquired from TNT Worldwide whom UPS is in negotiations to acquire.
The Chinese writings on the tail of the 747 are testament to the Chinese market that Kenya Airways has been looking to exploit in the coming years when they acquire the Dreamliner 787's. The KLM & Air France logos are the SKYTEAM partners KQ CEO has been talking about using to counter British Airways Cargo 747-400F launched in early October 2011.

^^ Please note that the plane registration flag is registered under the EU flag because KQ currently doesn't have B747 qualified pilots. It looks like a wet lease, but it will be converted into a dry lease when KQ hires enough pilots to man the plane 24-7.

that's right kaiser...its a lease. i thought titus naikuni stated that a couple of months, they will be leasing a cargo plane to capitalize on the rapid growth of cargo business.kenya airways isnt buying a cargo plane but leasing it.

This is all very interesting I must say_

I don't know if it was a slip up by the reporter, but she said that KQ will be leasing two more 747 freighters by the end of the year? I thought there were two 737 freighters on the way for regional cargo service?!? wow! We'll soon find out.

Anyway, for those that missed it, there was a lil fanfare at JKIA recently:

8_QTFv6XuSA

I don't know if it was a slip up by the reporter, but she said that KQ will be leasing two more 747 freighters by the end of the year? I thought there were two 737 freighters on the way for regional cargo service?!? wow! We'll soon find out.

Anyway, for those that missed it, there was a lil fanfare at JKIA recently:

8_QTFv6XuSA


So why is the water being sprayed on the plane? Is it a celebration thing or it is for another purpose?

I am surprised by the low profits KQ makes. I would imagine they would be making at least KSh. 10bn net profits a year? Why are the profits so low? The government should identify key national assets to support financially like KQ, KPC, Kenya Railways, Kenya Roads, KPA, plus a few other of that nature because no private investors are interested and have ability to put in lots of money and take great risks that these companies face. The bigger these companies are the more jobs are created. And putting in money does not mean the govt has to manage them. They should be left to professional managers specialised on the sectors in order for the govt to reap maximum dividends.

The water is for celebration.

Why lease instead of just buying?It's a good development anyways.;)

I thought there were two 737 freighters on the way for regional cargo service?!?

Yep they were planned to join the fleet in october 2011. A KQ team went to Seattle, last summer. But where are B737s ?:dunno:

So why is the water being sprayed on the plane? Is it a celebration thing or it is for another purpose?

I am surprised by the low profits KQ makes. I would imagine they would be making at least KSh. 10bn net profits a year? Why are the profits so low? The government should identify key national assets to support financially like KQ, KPC, Kenya Railways, Kenya Roads, KPA, plus a few other of that nature because no private investors are interested and have ability to put in lots of money and take great risks that these companies face. The bigger these companies are the more jobs are created. And putting in money does not mean the govt has to manage them. They should be left to professional managers specialised on the sectors in order for the govt to reap maximum dividends.

KQ is on an expansion ambition hence invests a lot of money in it. Its thus hard to make big profits but that is just for now.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3342/kensaudi.png

:cheers2:

Am lost on this...what/who is the sky team again?

Am lost on this...what/who is the sky team again?

Saudi Arabian have joined Skyteam :)

I had to post this, I guess KQ's chicken and pasta does this to ya:

"Shout out to Kenya Airways. ...........As you know you can see the map and shit. We flew over kilimanjaro, and motherfuckers from Miami in the early 90s know it was a weed hold they called Kilimanjaro. I thought you know, that was just the name for the best weed you know.":rofl::hilarious

7hFSd0gLkPg

Here's KQ's 737 in skyteam colors.:)


http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/424557_10150599655328393_227713703392_9175279_1982447359_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/425657_10150599655378393_227713703392_9175280_1620100077_n.jpg

Saudi Arabian have joined Skyteam :)

Thanks but what is skyteam...is it like a group of airlines that have joined together for business purposes, you know like the way there is EAC?:bash:

(sky team) Never mind...looked it up.

Thanks but what is skyteam...is it like a group of airlines that have joined together for business purposes, you know like the way there is EAC?:bash:

Sort of...Skyteam is an alliance of airlines that have agreed to work together on a substantial level. One of the benefits for passengers is say for example; I could book a flight from the US to Nairobi with Delta flying using only one ticket however I will use two airlines. Delta and Kenya Airways.

While for an airline like Delta...they don't have much of a presence in Africa so therefore they could use KQs Africa network to get passengers who have booked with them to their preferred destination.

There are a range of other benefits for both passengers and airlines for those who are travelling with airlines in Skyteam.

I had to post this, I guess KQ's chicken and pasta does this to ya:

"Shout out to Kenya Airways. ...........As you know you can see the map and shit. We flew over kilimanjaro, and motherfuckers from Miami in the early 90s know it was a weed hold they called Kilimanjaro. I thought you know, that was just the name for the best weed you know.":rofl::hilarious

Funny guy!:lol:

SkyTeam and Kenya Airways launches Go Africa Pass
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/47917-SkyTeam-and-Kenya-Airways-launches-Go-Africa-Pass


SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, has launched its new Go Africa Pass providing cost savings and flexibility on flights operated by Kenya Airways within Africa. The pass is available to business and leisure travelers flying with any of SkyTeam's 15 member airlines on an intercontinental round-trip to Africa or a Go Round the World ticket.

Customers purchasing a Go Africa Pass can opt from a minimum of three to a maximum of 16 flight coupons. Fares are calculated based on the number of miles flown non-stop, offering discounts of up to 75% off standard fares, depending on the itinerary. Coupons have no minimum stay, open-jaw itineraries are permitted and passengers can stop in each city multiple times - giving them complete flexibility to plan their trips. The Go Africa Pass is available for sale now, for travel starting on or after March 1st.

Kenya Airways to increase frequency on Nairobi-Dubai route
http://www.centreforaviation.com/analysis/kenya-airways-plans-further-growth-for-middle-east-central-asia-and-indian-subcontinent-68879

Kenya Airways is bullish on its Dubai services and plans to increase it to double daily in the near future. It currently operates a daily service to Dubai using Boeing 767-300 equipment. Abraham Joseph, Kenya Airways regional head for Middle East and Pakistan, told the Khaleej Times that Kenya Airways has lately averaged an 85% load factor to Dubai. Mr Joseph said the Dubai flight in 2011 contributed USD37 million of revenue, or about 4% of the carrier’s total revenue. The carrier expects to increase that to USD50 million in 2012.

Kenya Airways wants to operate one service at night and one during the day, so it can cater for tourism and business. Its current schedule sees a daily 19:20 departure from Nairobi arriving into Dubai 01:35 the following day with a subsequent 02:35 departure from Dubai and 06:40 arrival into Nairobi. Kenya Airways also operates a three weekly service via Muscat.


Increased service to India

Kenya Airways currently serves Mumbai daily with 777-200 equipment, however, is seeking to expand further into the region. Within the next five years, Kenya Airways hopes to double frequency to Mumbai and enter Delhi (which regional competitor Ethiopian Airlines also serves) as well as serve Ahmedabad and Chennai in the country’s east.


There are currently six carriers operating between Africa and India, five of which are African carriers (four of them are in sub-Sahara Africa). While Kenya Airways is the second largest African carrier to operate to India, its Nairobi-Mumbai route is the busiest of all nine routes operating.

Carriers operating between Africa and India by seat capacity: 20-Feb-2012 to 26-Feb-2012
http://www.centreforaviation.com/images/stories/2012/february/27/Carriers_operating_between_Africa_and_India_by_seat_capacity.png

KQ: Looking at Central Asia
http://www.centreforaviation.com/analysis/kenya-airways-plans-further-growth-for-middle-east-central-asia-and-indian-subcontinent-68879

By looking at Central Asia as a possible new destination (Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have both been mentioned as potential new countries), Kenya Airways continues to expand to oil producing and emerging countries.

If these new routes eventuate, Kenya Airways is likely to serve Almaty – the largest city and economic centre of Central Asia. There are currently no airlines operating between Africa and Central Asia, meaning Kenya Airways could be the first to the pave the way for stronger trade relationships.

The 22nd largest oil producer in the world, Azerbaijan, is the second country in Central Asia Kenya Airways has expressed interest in serving. Azerbaijan, with its GDP growth rate of just 0.2%, is not the powerhouse of Central Asia like Kazakhstan, however, its status as a major oil producer makes it a destination of interest.

Kenya Airways has signalled its intent to commercially work with airlines in Central Asia and would likely route flights via Dubai, where it has commercial agreements, Mr Joseph said.

Kenya Airways’ Middle East and India destinations as at Feb-2012
http://www.centreforaviation.com/images/stories/2012/february/27/Kenya_Airways_Middle_East_and_India_destinations.png

Nice shot of KQ777-2U8 ER

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6847548371_6c0a47fcbb_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rich90/6847548371/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6845898849_4d8533c0f6_b.jpg

http://www.guideforafrica.com/images/africa/kenya-airways.jpg

http://gifsoup.com/imager.php?id=3466942&t=o (http://gifsoup.com/view/3466942/kenya-airways.html)
Landing at London LHR

http://gifsoup.com/imager.php?id=3466960&t=o (http://gifsoup.com/view/3466960/777.html)

Landing at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.:cool:

CMA approves Sh20.7bn ($250.3mln USD) rights issue for Kenya Airways

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/CMA+approves+Sh20+7bn+rights+issue+for+Kenya+Airways/-/539552/1362788/-/yvpgfrz/-/index.html

Kenya Airways rights issue will test the depths of the capital markets after the airline announced that it will be seeking to raise Sh20.7 billion through a rights issue.

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Friday said that it had approved the national carrier KQ to issue 1.48 billion additional shares to raise the Sh20.7 billion, the region’s biggest rights issue.

The national carrier is seeking to raise funds related to acquisition of additional aircraft, in an initial phase of its 10-year growth plan.

Kenya Airways expects to increase the number of aircraft to 107 from the current 34 by 2020

Kenya Airways launches direct flights to New Delhi
eTurboNews (http://www.eturbonews.com/28365/kenya-airways-launches-direct-flights-new-delhi)
16 March 2012

http://www.eturbonews.com/files/imagecache/fullpage/0a8_1843.jpg
Kenya Airways has announced its commencement of flights to the Indian Capital city, New Delhi starting May 15th 2012. The much anticipated service marks Kenya Airways' 57th global destination and 2nd in India subcontinent.

The launch of this new route highlights KQ's efforts to provide seamless travel and accessibility to travelers from Africa to India subcontinent and vice versa.

Kenya Airways will fly to New Delhi four times a week on a Boeing 767-300 as per the schedule below:

KQ220 departs Nairobi every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 1350hrs local time, arrives Delhi 2330hrs local time.

KQ221 departs Delhi every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 0050hrs local time, arrives Nairobi 0530hrs local time.

The new route highlights Kenya Airways ambitious growth plans to expand its network as part of its 10 year growth strategy. "New Delhi is the second city after Mumbai that we will be flying to India, we intend to open four more destinations in the sub continent as part of our 10 year expansion strategy," said Dr. Titus Naikuni, Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Naikuni noted that the destination has great business prospects as New Delhi is one of the largest cities in India, and the most preferred city in terms of information technology, investments, healthcare and government relations.

India's economic growth has averaged around 7% each year since 1997, making it one of the world’s largest emerging markets. According to industry forecasts, traffic flows between sub-Saharan Africa and India are expected to grow at a rate of 7.1% per annum over the next decade.

Kenya Airways remains the fastest growing airline in the continent and is pursuing a network expansion strategy that targets to link all African countries with the world, making it the airline of choice for travelers in the continent.

lndia has been aggressively promoting trade with Africa as it seeks to gain access to the continent’s emerging markets. The new route to Delhi seeks to expand and promote the bilateral and commercial relations between India and the African region.

India is Kenya’s sixth largest trading partner, with a vast business presence in the country. Recently, Kenya-India relations have improved buoyed by increasing bilateral trade that hit US $4.8 billion in 2010/2011.

Recently the airline announced a right issue offer to be launched on March 30th. The company hopes to raise Kshs20.7 billion from its shareholders.

Proceeds from the rights issue are projected to fund implementation of an ambitious 10-year expansion plan dubbed Project Mawingu; which would see the airline increase it number of destinations from the current 56 to 115 destinations by the year 2021.

Congrats India is a nice place :cheers:

Kenya Airways Boosts Mumbai Operation from mid-May 2012


Kenya Airways is further boosting operation to India, as the Skyteam member will increase Nairobi – Mumbai service from daily to 10 weekly, effective 16MAY12. The additional 3 weekly flights will be operated by Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Earlier this month, the airline announced it’ll begin 4 weekly Nairobi – Delhi service (See report on 20MAR12)

Schedule:

KQ202 NBO1735 – 0210+1BOM 763 D
KQ204 NBO2220 – 0655+1BOM 763 135

KQ203 BOM0310 – 0655NBO 763 D
KQ205 BOM0815 – 1140NBO 763 246

How come there isnt a posting of the other kenyan airlines. Somebody should start one it would be an interesting section.

^^The others are tiny compared to KQ and it's somewhat hard to find updates on them (well at least for me).

KQ is getting bigger and better...

^^The others are tiny compared to KQ and it's somewhat hard to find updates on them (well at least for me).

Very tru but they still need recognition i was wondering cant somebody go to JKIA and take photos of planes or is that illegal

KQ is getting bigger and better...


And the rest of the Kenyan airlines are closely following the KQ approach so they can implement them in their own business strategies

http://i40.tinypic.com/eu4zz6.jpg

Rapidly expanding Kenya Airways charts growth with plan to serve every inhabited continent by 2017
Centre for Aviation (http://www.centreforaviation.com/analysis/rapidly-expanding-kenya-airways-charts-growth-with-plan-to-serve-every-inhabited-continent-by-2017-71784)
16 April 2012

http://www.centreforaviation.com/images/resized/stories/companies/airlines/kenya_airways/Kenya_Airways-200x.jpg
Kenya Airways plans to launch its first services to North America, South America and Australia by 2017, making it one of the few carriers to serve every inhabited continent. While these three continents will give Africa's currently fifth-largest airline by seats a global presence, its future is pegged on Asia, with the carrier over the next 10 years planning to launch seven new routes into China, six in the Indian Subcontinent and three across North and Southeast Asia as well as having a growing presence in Europe and the Middle East. It is poised to become Africa's largest carrier.

Growth will be fuelled by Africa's status as a burgeoning market, as well as reliance on partners: Kenya Airways will open routes to SkyTeam member hubs in Xiamen (Xiamen Airlines), Hanoi (Vietnam Airlines), Seoul (Korean Air), Moscow (Aeroflot) and Prague (Czech Airlines). The intercontinental focus follows Kenya's strong emphasis on regional Africa, with the carrier aiming to serve every African nation by the end of 2013.

With the carrier intending over the next decade to add 60 destinations in 32 countries while more than tripling its fleet to 107 aircraft, almost half widebodies, Kenya Airways will become a formidable force and help to finally bring African aviation into the world's limelight. Its strength along with that of Ethiopian Airlines will shift the continent's focus from South Africa, home of traditional heavyweight South African Airways, to East Africa, giving the two carriers network opportunities but also creating a competitive rivalry – a welcome addition for a continent that for too long has played in the world's shadows.
24 new widebody points to be opened by 2021

Kenya Airways' growth is part of its strategic management plan called Project Mawingu, named after the Swahili word for clouds. And that is where Kenya Airways is aiming for: clouds, not the stars. Growth projections are high, making additional destinations and frequencies, beyond this initial plan, very likely, especially in the latter half of the decade. As ambitious as the plan may seem – in the last 10 years the carrier went from 30 destinations to 55, but in the next decade will increase to 115 – it is not entirely bullish but instead represents the start of African carriers taking a greater place on the world stage as the continent finally starts recording continuous high growth.

Pending significant additional aircraft orders, for the eight years from 2013 Kenya Airways will open three new points outside of Africa every year in addition to its intra-Africa expansion. FY2014/15 is projected to see Kenya Airways' first South American service with a thrice weekly Boeing 787 flight to Sao Paulo, FY2015/16 the first North American service with thrice weekly 777-200LR flight to Toronto and FY2016/17 the first Australia Pacific service with a thrice weekly 787 flight to Australia's Perth.

But Kenya's expansion in existing continents is far more comprehensive, potentially alluring and also guaranteed with lower risks. Guangzhou is the currently the carrier's sole mainland Chinese destination, but by 2021 Kenya Airways will open seven more: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Kunming and Urumqi. (Kenya Airways previously flagged greater interest in China but did not name specific points.)

The expansion speaks of the enormous potential of the Chinese market: the focus today is currently on Beijing and Shanghai with only some carriers beginning to explore secondary Chinese cities like Chengdu. Few discuss, publicly at least, even more secondary points like Urumqi. Although Kenya Airways' discussions may be on the foresight, its expansion in China will lag other carriers. Shanghai, a point already served by most major European carriers, will not come online at Kenya Airways until 2015/16. Chengdu, the carrier's first secondary city, will open in 2016/17, by which time European carriers and even Middle East network carriers will likely be examining third- and fourth-tier Chinese cities. The slower pace is reflective of aircraft delivery dates and previous delays as well as the time needed for further Chinese investment in Africa to support the new routes. Its expansion in India will also be significantly behind the Middle East network carriers that quickly planted themselves on the subcontinent.
Narrowbody expansion to open 40 destinations across Africa, Middle East

Kenya Airways expanding narrowbody fleet, also subject to further orders, will facilitate expansion across Africa and the Middle East. A significant proportion of routes will be opened by the Embraer E190, smaller than 737-sized aircraft network carriers have relied on. This will help make previously unviable routes profitable or to help increase frequency.


http://www.centreforaviation.com/images/stories/2012/april/16/Kenya_Airways_projected_route_network.png

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/3844/trustit.jpg

Love the look of that route map.

I'd prefer Sydney to Perth though.

its good to see that KQ has plans to fly to Kuala Lumpur.Given the large number of african students in Malaysia, its been long overdue.

its good to see that KQ has plans to fly to Kuala Lumpur.Given the large number of african students in Malaysia, its been long overdue.

+1 agree with that's really great news will be good adition to Kuala Lumpur airport and linking Malaysia with Africa

2021 is too far!

It should have been 2015.

give kenya airways some time and it will soar higher....love what its doing and its all in stages...

I'm surprised they did not pick Atlanta, New York-JFK and to a lesser extent Detroit for the US routes as they are Delta Airlines major hubs too.

I think Delta is looking to operate the Atlanta-Nairobi route, so KQ will do DC-Nairobi and Chicago-Nairobi instead.

2021 is too far!

It should have been 2015.

It's only 9 years away. Not that long when you think about it.....

To think KQ could be Africa's largest carrier and a major international carrier by then. Air Asia transformed in the past ten years, so let's hope KQ does too.

But man if KQ does achieve all of its routes as planned then imagine the traffic coming through JKIA. It'll easily be over 20 million in just 9 short years, like I said.

I love their ads...

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/553505_10150669903643800_47572703799_9762575_737602632_n.jpg

B737 in Skyteam colors

http://img.planespotters.net/photo/269000/original/5Y-KQH-Kenya-Airways-Boeing-737-700_PlanespottersNet_269321.jpg

Kenya Airways to Start Beirut Service from Oct 2012


As per 20APR12 GDS timetable and inventory display, Kenya Airways starting 25OCT12 is launching Nairobi – Beirut service, which operates three times a week. Boeing 737-700 aircraft operates this service.

Reservation is now open but remains subject to government approval. Schedule:

KQ360 NBO1800 – 2240BEY 73W 146
KQ361 BEY2340 – 0620+1NBO 73W 146

Why Beirut :? ???

Kenya Airways to Resume Nairobi – Eldoret Service from July 2012


Kenya Airways starting 04JUL12 is resuming Nairobi – Eldoret domestic service, where it’ll operate twice a day with Embraer E170 aircraft. Operational schedule:

KQ660 NBO0650 – 0740EDL E70 D
KQ668 NBO1715 – 1805EDL E70 D

KQ661 EDL0820 – 0910NBO E70 D
KQ669 EDL1855 – 1945NBO E70 D

Air Korea is set to launch its first direct flights between Nairobi and Seoul, giving the tourism industry a new dimension in its search for visitors from non traditional source markets.

The carrier plans to start three weekly flights from June this year aboard its Airbus A330-200 aircraft which has a capacity of 226 seats.

“The national carrier will be launching direct flights between Nairobi and Seoul in June to cater for the rising number of Koreans coming to East Africa,” said Chan-Woo Kim, Korean ambassador to Kenya.

This comes as a shot in the arm for the Kenya Tourism Board which is aggressively marketing Kenya as a leisure and business destination in Asia, in order to stabilise income in the face of uncertainties in Europe and America, the traditional markets.

The UK, US, Italy, Germany, France, Uganda and the Netherlands are Kenya’s largest sources of visitor arrivals.

Presently, visitors going to Korea have to connect from hubs in the Middle East, Europe or Asia. Only five carriers— Ethiopian Airlines, Air Mauritius, Kenya Airways, Air Austral and Air Madagascar —operate non-stop between Asia Pacific and East Africa.

Direct flights from Nairobi to Seoul will cut the cost of travel and reduce travel time.

Visitors

Kenya has been receiving an average of 6,000 visitors annually since 2006 from Korea while about 1,000 Kenyans have been travelling to Korea.

The Ministry of Tourism has been targeting to double this number.

“This new flight will help to enhance the growing tourist numbers from Korea,” said Walya Wausi, communications manager at Kenya Tourism Board. Korean multinational companies have increased their interest in Kenya in the last few years with the Korea steel giant Posco currently undertaking feasibility studies to set up a steel mill in Kenya.

The South Korea-Kenya agreement signed in December 2011 is expected to promote trade, which is heavily weighed toward imports from South Korea than exports from Kenya.

Imports from South Korea to Kenya jumped 86 per cent to Sh20 billion between 2009 and 2010.

The volume of exports to South Korea has, however, been dropping in the last five years from Sh400 million to Sh177 million

http://www.beiyangu.co.ke/news-and-tips/air-korea-launches-direct-flights-to-nairobi

You guys are soooo lucky i wish we have a direct flight to Seoul from Khartoum that would be awesome

^^Why?Do you normally fly to Seoul very often?

^^Why?Do you normally fly to Seoul very often?

And what does this have to do with wishing!! but you can say i love Korea though i visited it only once

And what does this have to do with wishing!! but you can say i love Korea though i visited it only once
Okay.

Anyway, this new destination is good for Kenya and especially Kenya Airways since they are in the same alliance with Korean Air.Other than that, Kenyan traders and tourists would obviously get an easier access to Korea, a very developed country.

Okay.

Anyway, this new destination is good for Kenya and especially Kenya Airways since they are in the same alliance with Korean Air.Other than that, Kenyan traders and tourists would obviously get an easier access to Korea, a very developed country.

Yeah it will make a good link from African cities VIA KQ to Jomo Kenyatta and then to Seoul it will make a good returns nice plan

From that big plans of KQ it shows that they'll be launching Cape Town and Windhoek (it seems as if meant to be CPT via WDH) with E190 within 2012/2013 timeframe...does anyone know if that is still going ahead and when we can expect announcements?

http://wolfganghthome.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/kenya-airways-share-rights-issue-enters-last-two-days-and-where-all-that-money-is-going-to/

For 2013/14 an upping of frequencies is envisaged for Dehli, while another Indian destination, Bangalore is due to come on line, as is Kuala Lumpur, further cementing the South South connection. In 2014/15 new targets are Beijing, Sao Paulo and Berlin, while for 2015/16 Toronto, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai are penciled into the destination planning sheets. On goes the march in 2016/17 financial year with Chengdu, Chennai and Perth, and the following year 2017/18 it is Chongqing, Hyderabad and Washington DC. Ahmedabad, Xiamen and Moscow are planned for 2018/19 and in 2019/20 are Kunming, Dhaka and Seoul on the drawing board. This is to be followed in 2020/21 by Hanoi, Prague and Urumqi, at which time Kenya Airways will serve all 5 inhabited continent with a fleet of 107 passenger aircraft

http://wolfganghthome.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/clip_image006.gif

http://wolfganghthome.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/kenya-airways-share-rights-issue-enters-last-two-days-and-where-all-that-money-is-going-to/



http://wolfganghthome.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/clip_image006.gif


This is how a serious company works. It plans and strategizes as outlined in this table. Hongera sana KQ. So this is how I expect the Ministry of Energy to outline power generation plans. Not just talk of xxxMW by year 20xx yet there is no progressive increase in the quantity of power generated. All public companies should be expelled to show their short-medium to long-term plans so the public may be aware of those plans and scrutinize them.

Kenya Airways says “Namaste New Delhi!”

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – Kenya Airways is on Tuesday set to make an inaugural direct flight to New Delhi, India, as the airlines sustains expansion of its global network.
The inaugural flight to the Indian capital was to depart from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 1350hrs with a high-powered team led by the chairman of the airline’s board of directors Evanson Mwaniki on board.
New Delhi is now the airline’s 57th destination, the latest since the airline launched flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in October last year. It will also be the second destination that Kenya Airways flies to in the Indian sub-continent, the other being Mumbai.
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Titus Naikuni said that the new route would enhance the airline’s presence in Asia.
“We are growing our presence in the Asian continent. Our decision to fly to New Delhi is informed by the growing economic linkages between Asia and Africa,” said Dr Naikuni, noting that India and China are of special importance to the airline’s growth strategy.
He added: “KQ will be flying to New Delhi four times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I encourage Africa to take advantage of this new service which has good connections to Intra-Africa flights.”
Source (http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2012/05/kenya-airways-says-namaste-new-delhi/)

^^ Just imagine if Kenya was run the way KQ is being run..... the possibilities are endless.

KQ Mobile from Kenya Airways takes flight
http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2012/05/kq-mobile-from-kenya-airways-takes-flight/

In a joint venture with Cellulant, Kenya Airways will now be the first airline in Africa to deliver a service called “KQ Mobile” which is a mobile based technology platform that will enable customers to conveniently access information on flight status, timetable, cargo services, ticketing and query their Msafiri Miles status.

The service will be accessed while roaming across the 56 Kenya Airways destinations and its short code is *737#.

Paul Ndichu Chief Business Officer at Cellulant commented that the partnership sought to ensure convenient delivery of information to KQ customers, staff and stakeholders.

“The goal of the partnership is to leverage the mobile phone to provide various information services to KQ customers, staff and other stakeholders in order to improve communication, enable itinerary and disruption management, payments and, importantly, to provide passengers the opportunity to customize their travel experience with ease.”


Kenya Airways passenger numbers up 5.2 pct in latest quarter
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/30/kenyaairways-idUSL5E8FU6H520120430

Kenya Airways posted a 5.2 percent rise in quarterly passenger numbers, helped by daily flights to South Sudan, with cargo up 4.1 percent in the January-March period.

Kenya Airways said it carried 832,366 passengers in its fourth quarter and 15,000 tonnes cargo.

...Kenyans who've flown KQ, I have a question:

On some vids/news about KQ I see some Kenyans commenting that KQ's service (and treatment of passengers) for IR routes is better apparently compared to domestic routes (and kenyan passengers). If any of you have flown KQ, is this true? Is service different for their domestic vs. international routes? Are these people just in the minority?:?

...Kenyans who've flown KQ, I have a question:

On some vids/news about KQ I see some Kenyans commenting that KQ's service (and treatment of passengers) for IR routes is better apparently compared to domestic routes (and kenyan passengers). If any of you have flown KQ, is this true? Is service different for their domestic vs. international routes? Are these people just in the minority?:?

From my experience, it is true. Paris-Yaounde was superb, then I had to do Yaounde-Joburg (12 hours) and the service was substandard. I guess it depends on the cabin crews you meet.

Kenya Airways eyes more destinations in Africa
http://www.eturbonews.com/29373/kenya-airways-eyes-more-destinations-africa

When all is set for the Routes Africa 2012 Forum in Seychelles, East Africa’s leading airline, Kenya Airways is looking to extend its wings to cover more destinations in Africa and outside the continent.

Reports from Kenya Airways headquarters in Kenyan capital Nairobi say the airline is expecting to launch operations in eight other destinations this year after it acquires new aircraft to facilitate its expansion plans.

The airline is looking to increase its presence in Kenya and Africa by moving into Lamu in Kenya’s Indian Ocean beaches, Eldoret in Kenyan agricultural and tourist site and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania’s northern tourist circuit, Malakal in South Sudan, Mauritius and Cape Town.