News & Insights

KQ boost passenger capacity with leased Boeing plane

Kenya Airways is set to broaden its horizons by integrating a newly leased Boeing 737-800 into its fleet—a move aimed at expanding both regional and international passenger services.

The Boeing 737-800, a proven workhorse in short to medium-haul operations, represents a strategic upgrade from the airline’s current Embraer E-Jets. According to CEO Allan Kilavuka, this shift is designed to boost passenger capacity significantly—from 92 seats in the Embraer models to over 160 in the Boeing variant, depending on the configuration. While the Embraer E-190 typically accommodates 12 business class and 84 economy seats, the 737-800 can comfortably house between 162 and 189 passengers.

“The induction of the B737-800 marks a pivotal moment in our fleet expansion. It not only increases our seating capacity but also underscores our resilience and ability to evolve in a challenging operating environment—especially as the global aviation sector contends with aircraft availability issues,” Kilavuka remarked.

The new aircraft, secured through a lease agreement with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), is set up to seat 170 passengers. Kilavuka further emphasized that the Boeing 737’s mature design fits perfectly with the airline’s existing training infrastructure, crew expertise, and maintenance capabilities. “For an airline aspiring to scale up, operating fewer than 50 aircraft renders it subscale. Expanding our fleet is critical to distributing costs and ensuring long-term sustainability,” he added.

Looking ahead, Kenya Airways envisions adding more than 50 aircraft to its roster within the next five years. This planned expansion isn’t limited to passenger services alone. The airline is also considering aircraft with larger cargo holds to double its freight business—from 10 percent to an anticipated 20 percent of overall operations. “By increasing our passenger capacity, we’re also in a position to enhance our cargo services. This dual approach is crucial as we aim to harness the full potential of our freight segment,” Kilavuka explained.

In addition, the carrier is exploring dedicated cargo aircraft leases, eyeing the introduction of two Boeing 767 freighters and potentially 777-200 models, as part of its broader strategy to balance and grow both passenger and freight operations.

Source: Business Daily Africa