Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya Airways (KQ) has expanded its cargo capacity with an additional freighter aircraft.
The national carrier added a Boeing 737-800 freighter aircraft to its fleet to expand its cargo capacity as part of the airline’s diversification strategy.
The national carrier attributed the expansion to the growing demand and need for increased cargo capacity within the region.
Announcing the Global Logistics Conference at the Safari Park Hotel on Wednesday, November 22, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka said the move will help realise the airline’s full potential.
“As Africa continues to unravel the trade opportunities available within the continent, there is consensus that there is a need to invest in sustainable freight systems that will enable us to reach our full potential for socio-economic development.
“One of these is the need for a well-developed and capable air cargo system to support trade. With the addition of this freighter, KQ will now offer increased cargo capacity to existing routes as well as new cargo destinations,” said Kilavuka.
Kilavuka urged targeted parties in business to “ take advantage of the new provision to maximize on the trade opportunities and potential for the region.”
KQ cargo planes
The new aircraft offers 20 tons of cargo capacity with a range of up to 7 hours and joins the current KQ cargo freighter fleet of two (2) Boeing 737-300 Freighters.
In 2022 Kenya Airways uplifted 68,900 tons of cargo mainly fresh produce, textiles, electronics, spare parts, pharmaceutical products, and live animals.
Among the destinations that the freighter will be used, there are Sharjah and Dubai World Central in the United Arab Emirates, Jeddah, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Dakar in Senegal, Lagos in Nigeria, Ndjamena in Chad, Mogadishu in Somalia, Mumbai in India, Free Town in Sierra Leone, and Monrovia in Liberia.
Reviving KQ back to the pride of Africa
Kenya Airways will add a second Boeing 737-800 Freighter in 2024, which will enter service in February 2024.
The freighters will also capture opportunities emerging from the African Continental Free Trade Area to catalyze trade within and out of the continent.
Kilavuka maintained that the ailing national carrier will regain its glory, despite the shock waves it has been through, including losses.
The airline recorded a net loss of KSh 21.7 billion in the first six months ending June 2023, attributed to the fluctuation in the foreign exchange rate that has seen the Kenya shilling decline against the US dollar.
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