Monday, 19, October, 2009: A total of 46 vehicles have entered the fourth edition of the Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally to be held next month.
This year’s rally has attracted participants from 16 different countries.
The national airline has invested Kshs 11.3 million (US$ 150,000) to sponsor the event inscribed in the Federation of International Automobile (FIA) events calendar and scheduled to take place between November 22, 2009 and December 1, 2009.

On the 31st of January 2008 Kenya airways opened a new office in Dar es Salaam. The function was graced by Kenya airways commercial Director Mr Hugh Fraser and the Kenyan ambassador in Tanzania His Excellency Mr Boaz Mbaya.

13th August 2009: Read the AAWU Strike notice update here 

14th August 2009: Read the AAWU Strike notice update here 

Kenya Airways is poised for an extensive brand revamp that will touch and enhance all aspects of its customers’ experience with the airline, from the web site, lounges and retail outlets to the cabin interiors, uniforms design, catering equipment and all brand communication items.

The airline has awarded the all-encompassing project to create and implement the new brand experience to Johannesburg-based branding specialists, BLACK Brand, Strategy & Design.

Travel News Readers have once again voted Kenya Airways their African Airline of Choice. The magazine has been carrying out the Quest for the Best award scheme since 1998.  The scheme acknowledges solely through reader participation excellence in number of fields in the tourism sector.

“Heko Kwa Kenya Airways, I am in Liberia in a peace keeping mission and I am very much proud and overjoyed knowing that I will be using the pride of Africa to go home. Please keep it up and let the flag of our beloved country fly high in Liberia too. Let them have a taste of our flight. Thanx alot and May God bless Kenya and Kenya airways and its entire worker’s” - George Ahenda, Monrovia.

7th May 2008, Kenya Airways and Precision Air have entered into a contract of Total Maintenance Support for B737-300 aircraft. This contract covers all aspects of maintenance:

Monday, 20th July 2009……Kenya Airways has today announced extensive enhancements to its Mombasa flight schedule, including increasing its weekly flights from the current 27 to 58 flights per week, beginning this month.
The carrier has also introduced a special price offer to Mombasa of Shs 5,500 return and Shs 2,750 one way exclusive of taxes.

Kenya Airways received recognition for the Piper Heidsieck NV wine served in Premier World. This sparkling wine from France won the national carrier accreditation as it was placed third in the Business Class sparkling wine category in the Business Traveller Cellar in the Sky Awards 2007.

4th March 2009..Kenya Airways on 27th Feb,  had the honour of ferrying 4 A-list Celebrities on KQ101 from London as they jetted out to Tanzania to embark on the first leg of The BT Red Nose Climb to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.  The group is undertaking the climb of a lifetime to raise as much cash as possible for this year’s Red Nose Day Campaign. Kenya Airways in honour of their VIP passengers had a red nose painted on the end of the aircraft.

Monday, October 26, 2009: Kenya Airways has launched direct flights to Bangui, the largest city in the Central African Republic. 

The airline will operate two weekly flights every Tuesday and Thursday to the Bangui M'Poko International Airport.  

An incredible US$ 46 return fare is being offered on this route for tickets purchased by October 31, 2009 and valid for travel by November 30, this year. The introduction of flights to Bangui brings to 46 the number of destinations that Kenya Airways flies to. 

Friday, September 4, 2009: Kenya Airways today launched direct flights to Gaborone, Botswana. 

An incredible promotional fare offer of US$ 43 return airfare offer is being made on this route for bookings made before September 10, 2009

There will be three weekly flights from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday to the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.

18th August 2008 ... Kenya Airways continues to modernise its fleet with its 24 aircraft fleet being one of the youngest in the continent. The airline’s fleet consists of 23 Boeing planes and 3 Embraer 170 jets. Since 2001, Kenya Airways has spent over Usd 1.04 billion on modernising its fleet and upgrading its ground handling equipment and its technology to cater for its 43 destinations in 39 countries.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: Kenya Airways recently acquired a sixth Boeing 767-300 ER to increase its aircraft fleet.

The B767, which is leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), replaces an older B767 whose lease expired earlier in the year and the aircraft was returned to the owner.

The decision to lease the aircraft was necessitated by the delays in the production and delivery of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, whose maiden flight is expected by early next year. The B787 was a part of the Kenya Airways fleet development and modernization plan. 

20th Nov 2008
Kenya Airways has increased its daily frequency to Mombasa from 7 to 11 times daily. In the meantime, the airline has ceased its operations to Lamu.

Thursday, October 01, 2009: Kenya Airways has joined the campaign to conserve and protect wildlife in the country. 

The airline is working jointly with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Born Free Foundation in conserving wildlife especially the Big Five which are in danger of extinction but remain the main tourist attraction resource in the country.

“The wildlife is a huge source of revenue for the exchequer, a symbol for our heritage and a major attraction to the travelers we fly from various destinations around the world to visit our national parks and a significant contributor to our economy through business and employment,” Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Dr Titus Naikuni said.

Kenya Airways is on the partners for the 5000 mile Charity bicycle ride dubbed “Cycle of life.” This bicycle ride is a fundraising effort by  the Tusk Trust in London whose patron his Royal Highness Prince William.

Maasai Mara, 17th May 2008 …Kenya Airways joined hands with three of Kenya’s leading Business Associations in a dramatic public gesture of support for the country’s  tourism industry.

KQ staff members led by CEO Titus Naikuni joined members of The British Business Association of Kenya (BBAK), the East African Association and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)  for a publicity photograph showing business leaders alongside the slogan ‘Kenya is Open for Business’.

18th February 2009. Kenya Airways has launched the “TakeOff 50%” to promote and grow intra-Africa traffic. This promotion is running 2 weeks starting February 18th across the airlines’ African network. Kenya Airways currently flies to over 30 destinations in Africa only and is expected to add Congo Brazzaville to its network next month. Under this offer, validity for outward travel runs till 15th June.  Commercial director Richard Nuttall said that this offer, “will encourage Africans to travel within Africa for business and for pleasure.”

27th June 2008..Kenya Airways (KQ) will increase scheduled flights on a number of its African, Middle and Far East destinations to offer the carrier’s passengers greater flexible timings in their travel plans. Announcing these changes, the airline’s commercial director Richard Nuttall said that the changes will mainly affect China, Dubai, Lusaka, Accra and the Lagos destinations.

Kenya Airways has awarded its contract for the provision of all in-flight audio and video entertainment to the IFE Alliance beginning in May 2008. Video IFE consisting of Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood movies, along with international and African TV programmes, will be supplied by Atlas Air Film + Media Service through their office in Germany. In-flight Productions Ltd., based in London, is the IFE Alliance audio partner for Kenya Airways.

Monday, October 19, 2009: A Kenya Airways pilot is set to receive the prestigious Africa Travel Awards 2009 as the first female African Airline Captain.

An airline captain is the ultimate position for a professional pilot which begins as a first officer or co-pilot.
 
Captain Irene Mutungi will receive the “Africa Legend of Travel” Award at the 5th AKWAABA: Africa Travel Market gala dinner to be hosted on October 24, 2009 in Lagos, Nigeria. The award will be presented by His Excellency Sir Dawda Jawara, the former President of the Republic of The Gambia.

Thursday, September 24, 2009: Kenya Airways on-time-performance has improved to hit an impressive 86 percent on zero minute. 

This means that nearly all of Kenya Airways flights are punctual; on time at all times – the best record for the airline in four years, said Bram Steller, Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer.

He added that “Kenya Airways has dramatically improved on-time departure and arrival of all its flights due to the increased focus on punctuality by all staff”. 

Nairobi, January 20th   2009…Kenya Airways (KQ) has taken delivery of its fourth  Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This new aircraft is leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).  This aircraft, registration 5Y-KYE, brings to 4 the number of Boeing 737-800s in the airline’s 25 aircraft fleet.  The aircraft is scheduled to commence commercial flights in  January 2009. Kenya Airways is also set to receive another Boeing 737-800 in the month of February.

30th June 2009- Kenya Airways has reinstated its flights Kisumu with effect from 3rd July. From 3rd July to 31st July 2009, the airline will operate twice daily on its Embraer E170 jets. During the month of July, travellers to Kisumu will enjoy a special fare of Kshs 6,000 return and Kshs 3,000 for one way travel.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009- Kenya Airways has resumed flights to Kisumu, with a special return fare of Kshs 710 starting from 10^th December 2009.

The airline resumes the route with two daily flights, using its 72 seater Embraer E170 jet, one in the morning at 7.10 am and in the evening at 5.05pm from Nairobi. Flights from Kisumu will depart at 8.30am and 6.20pm respectively.

Wednesday, 23rd December 2009 - Kenya Airways would like to inform all its esteemed customers and stakeholders that it has resumed night operations into and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. 

27th October 2008

Kenya Airways is set to unveil new winter timetable that will have increased frequencies to some of its Far East Destinations. In the new winter timetable which takes effect on 28th October 2008, the airline will launch direct flights to Guangzhou, China and increase frequencies to Bangkok and Hong Kong. Frequencies to Bangkok will go up from 6 to 7 times in a week and those to Hong Kong will move from 4 to 5 times a week.

Friday, October 09, 2009: Kenya Airways would like to inform its passengers, customers, investors and the public of a rejected takeoff on KQ512 to Bamako, Mali and Dakar, Senegal at 0940 hours at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The aircraft did not leave the ground.

The incident was caused by a tyre deflation.

19th February, 2008:-
Kenya Airways will temporarily suspend flights to Paris with effect from 26th February 2008.  This follows sharp declines in bookings on this route occasioned by the French Government’s blanket advisory against travel to Kenya.  Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni however remains optimistic saying, “we will monitor the situation on a monthly basis and we are hopeful that we will resume Paris flights for the summer high season once the French Government’s travel advisory has been removed.”

Kenya Airways (KQ) has taken delivery of its third Embraer 170 Long Range (LR) Jets. According to CEO Titus Naikuni, “this jet is set to boost our capacity in the regional routes particularly in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.” Kenya Airways is also scheduled to take delivery of a Boeing 737-800 this weekend, a move expected to further ease capacity constraints in its regional routes.

15th July 2009:- Kenya Airways in partnership with Air Botswana will launch flights to Gaborone in September this year. The thrice weekly flights will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays under a code share arrangement with Air Botswana.
This is a realization of a vision to increase the airlines’ presence in Botswana after opening an office in Gaborone in October 2008. The BP slogan “going your way” is perfectly in sync with KQ’s “The Pride of Africa”.

Nairobi, April 28th 2008… KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will give its slot time operation to Kenya Airways beginning April 29, 2008 to May 30, 2008. The extra operation by Kenya Airways is prompted by the fact that KLM is in the process of servicing their Boeing 747 fleet, which creates a shortage of aircraft availability within the KLM network. This means that Kenya Airways will now operate a total of 10 weekly flights to and from Amsterdam during this period.

May 14th 2008...Kenya Airways (KQ) will resume direct flights to Paris on June 10th, 2008 after a 3-month suspension occasioned by the Post General-Election violence in December. A statement from the airline said the flights will resume with a special re-launch fare of US$499 exclusive of taxes for the travel period in June 2008.

Wednesday, 19 August, 2009: Kenya Airways will on September 17, 2009 launch direct flights to Ndola – the second largest city in Copper-rich Zambia.

The twice weekly flights will depart from Nairobi every Thursday and Saturday.

Ndola becomes the 36th African destination in the KQ network with recent additions being to Congo-Brazaville and Libreville; launched in March and June this year respectively.

The airline will also launch the Gaborone route on September 4, this year. 

NAIROBI, 22nd March 2007… Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced it will suspend its flights to Lubumbashi for 13-days to allow for repair of the run-way. The 13 days-suspension to allow repair of runway.

1st April 2009- Kenya Airways will suspend flights to Kisumu from 1st July to 30th November 2009. This is owing to the planned expansion and renovation of the Kisumu airport runway. KQ’s Embraer E170 jets which operate on this route cannot land on the available runway space which will be shorter during the renovation period.

Monday, August 31, 2009: Kenya Airways will suspend its daily flights to Kisumu effective September 7, 2009.

The airline attributed the suspension to the ongoing repairs and renovation of the Kisumu Airport runway by the Kenya Airports Authority. The repairs are expected to be completed by the end of November 2009.

Thursday, October 1, 2009: Kenya Airways has signed a Code Share Agreement with Nigerian Eagle Airlines to strengthen its presence and increase market share in West Africa.
The agreement, to take effect on October 25, 2009, will offer customers of the two airlines extended travel and better connection options in West, East and Southern Africa.
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Dr Titus Naikuni said: “The agreement will provide a seamless and superior connecting product for our markets which is in line with our route expansion and effective service delivery strategy”.
“If you want to do business in Africa, you must do business in Nigeria. The airline had longed to have a partner in Nigeria and expressed satisfaction at the partnership with Nigeria’s most promising young airline,” he added.
The deal will enable Nigerian Eagle Airlines passengers to connect to Africa and the world through the Kenya Airways hub at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi including European destinations; Amsterdam, Paris and London and select destinations in Asia, including Dubai, Mumbai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Bangkok.
He said the move was a demonstration that African carriers are now cooperating more than ever before to develop aviation transport.

Monday, December 22, 2009 - Kenya Airways would like to inform all its esteemed customers and other stake holders that we have received a NOTAM (Notice to Air Men) from Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to notify us that the runway threshold lights at JKIA do not meet the minimum requirements for a safe night operations as required by ICAO.(International Civil Aviation Organization).

30th October 2008
The Board announces that Kenya Airways has maintained profitability in the first half of the 2008/09 financial year, albeit less than the corresponding period last year. Profit after tax for the period reviewed ended at KShs 736m with an operating margin of 4.7% compared to KShs 1,972m and an operating margin of 11.3% during the corresponding period last year. 

Download the full press announcement 

Wednesday 28th April 2010…The Government of Cameroon has released the accident report on the tragic loss of flight KQ507 a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on 5th May 2007 in Douala.

The Government of Kenya will address a press conference at 11:00 AM today in Nairobi on this matter. Kenya Airways management will participate in this press conference.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009: Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Dr Titus Naikuni was awarded the 2009 Aviation & Allied Business Individual Achievement Award.

The individual achievement honour was also awarded to Dr Taieb Cherif the former Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The awards were presented by Ethiopian Airline CEO Mr. Girma Wake, Captain Edward Boyo, the publisher Aviation & Allied Business Journal and his Excellency former Prime Minister of Niger Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki during the 15th Aviation & Allied Business Leadership Conference at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Tuesday.

Thursday, December 3, 2009…Kenya Airways has partnered with telecoms operator Safaricom to offer its money transfer service M-PESA as a ticket payment solution for its customers.

The M-PESA service will be used on both Kenya Airways call-centers and website; www.kenya-airways.com for both regional and domestic flights.

This is in line with Kenya Airways strategy of offering a warm, caring and friendly service in a uniquely African way that supports our leadership position as “The Pride of Africa”

Wednesday, November 4, 2009: Kenya Airways Golf Safari will be an annual event targeting to promote travel for golf throughout Africa, Europe and Asia. The golf tournament is one of its kind in the continent and features amateur and professional golfers.

“Kenya Airways endeavors to make this Golf tournament an annual event to promote the country and connect various investors and Golfers to be able to market Kenya as an all-round-destination,” Kenya Airways Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications Mr Dick Omondi said.
He said that further plans are underway to increase the countries where the tournament will be hosted. The tournament began in Cameroon in March 2009 and rolled out to South Africa, The United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Zambia, China, Senegal, Tanzania, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana.

Wednesday, December 15, 2009: Kenya Airways and Chartis Kenya have teamed up to provide a travel insurance product, which offers security against possible risks during travel. The partnership will allow Kenya Airways passengers to purchase travel insurance as they book their tickets. 

The travel insurance policy – Travel Guard – offers coverage for medical expenses up to a limit of USD 500,000.  For baggage loss, the coverage will insure your personal belongings and valuables up to USD 10,000 (limited to USD 1,000 for any one item). Flight cancellation coverage would take care of pre-paid travel expenses and accommodation up to USD 5,000.

Nairobi, 22nd April 2008……Kenya Airways (KQ) has suspended its codeshare agreement with Rwanda Air to allow time to resolve operational safety issues.
In a statement, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr. Titus Naikuni clarified that the codeshare arrangement had only been suspended not cancelled as widely reported.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009: Kenya Airways today commissioned a secondary school project in Kisii town as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

The airline fully renovated classrooms, administrative block and staffroom and installed a gate to improve security at a cost of Kshs 2 million.

The project which started in November, last year; has given a complete facelift to Riobara PAG Secondary School in a bid to improve learning facilities for about 250 students and staff.

Friday, September 12, 2009: A high-powered delegation from the Seychelles Tourism Board is in the country on a four-day official tour in a bid to promote travel to the tropical island nation.

The objective of the campaign is to boost visitor arrivals to Seychelles as a major tourist destination of choice.

Kenya Airways is supporting the campaign, by participating in a number of joint marketing activities with Seychelles Tourism Board, including agency tour promotions and media familiarization tours.

02/06/2008...Kenya Airways (KQ) is set to take delivery of its third Embraer 170 Long Range (LR) plane in August 2008. The new Embraer is the first of four aircraft KQ expects to be delivered this year.  The other three are Boeing B737-800, the first of which is also to be delivered in August from Boeing in Seattle

Neither rain, nor mud, nor heat, nor the morning chill could dampen the spirit of the courageous soldiers who came together on Saturday, 14th April 2007 to save Ngong Hills.

03 Feb 2009

As a result of the current global economic crisis, the airline industry, in common with other major industries, faces major challenges. During the first half of the financial year, fuel prices peaked at an all time high of Usd 147 per barrel in July 2008.

IATA estimates indicate that the combined industry loss in the in the range of Usd 5.0 billion in the financial year 2008/2009. Their forecasts indicate a reduction in passenger traffic of 3% in the financial year 2009/2010 being the first such decline since 2001.

Kenya Airways would like to confirm that one of its jets Boeing 737-300 was this morning involved in an incident at the Entebbe International Airport. However, there were no injuries or casualties on the 113 passengers and 7 crew members on board and no damage to the aircraft.

27th November 2008
We would like to inform our customers of some strategic changes that will take place in regards to Kenya Airways’ sales operations in the Scandinavia region. As of December 1, 2008, the commercial representation of Kenya Airways in Scandinavia will be handled by Air France KLM.  Mr Per Caroe, Kenya Airways, Country Manager for the Nordic & Baltic countries, will work with the Air France KLM representatives based in Denmark.

7th July 2008... Kenya Airways received triple honours during this year’s Company of the Year (COYA) awards. KQ scooped top awards in the strategic planning and emergency preparedness categories with the third award going to HR Director Paul Kasimu who was declared as the Manager of the Year. These awards were presented during the annual COYA Awards ceremony held at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi on Friday 4th July 2008.