Kenya Airways Eyes Bigger Freighters as Trade Booms
Kenya Airways is gearing up for a major cargo expansion to meet the surging demand for air freight services across Africa. As intra-African trade grows and exports rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic slump, the airline is planning to acquire larger freighter aircraft, according to cargo director Dick Murianki in an interview with Bloomberg in Nairobi.
Murianki explained that demand for cargo space is expanding at an impressive rate of about 11% per year—nearly double the growth seen before the pandemic. “We’re looking forward to exceeding those levels in 2025 and moving beyond,” he said. He noted that Kenya Airways carried 56,576 tonnes of cargo in 2023, compared to 68,264 tonnes in 2019. While the figures reflect a drop during the pandemic, the recovery in intra-African trade is rapidly offsetting those losses, with projections that the region’s share of trade could increase from less than 5% a few years ago to around 20% in the near future.
The airline’s current cargo fleet consists of four narrowbody freighters—two company-owned Boeing 737-300(SF)s and two Boeing 737-800(SF)s, which are dry-leased from GA Telesis. These aircraft operate vital routes from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Eldoret to regional destinations including Sharjah (UAE), Djibouti, Douala (Cameroon), N’Djamena (Chad), Lagos (Nigeria), Juba (South Sudan), Mogadishu and Hargeisa (Somalia), as well as Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo, and Brazzaville (Congo).
Murianki did not specify which new freighter models Kenya Airways is considering, but the move comes at a time when the airline is already planning to expand its cargo operations to leverage the booming intra-African trade. Group CEO Allan Kilavuka has previously indicated that Kenya Airways would be ready to expand with widebody freighters by 2026, suggesting that the airline is positioning itself for significant future growth.
There is also an important strategic decision on the horizon for Kenya Airways regarding its passenger fleet. The carrier is set to decide in the first quarter of 2025 whether to replace its Embraer E190 passenger fleet with Airbus or Boeing aircraft. This decision may influence or align with the freighter acquisition strategy, as the airline seeks to optimize its fleet for both passenger and cargo operations. In past statements, Kenya Airways has voiced aspirations for acquiring Boeing 767-300Fs as part of its cargo expansion plans. However, the final choice remains uncertain as the airline evaluates its needs in light of the accelerating demand for air freight.
The new, larger freighters are expected to improve economies of scale for Kenya Airways, allowing it to move more cargo per flight and reduce operational costs. This is crucial as the airline competes in an environment where cargo demand is recovering quickly and intra-African trade is set for substantial growth. With ongoing improvements in regional infrastructure and supportive government policies, Kenya Airways is well placed to take advantage of these emerging opportunities.
As the global air cargo market continues to evolve post-pandemic, Kenya Airways’ planned fleet upgrade reflects its broader strategy to diversify revenue streams and solidify its position as a leading operator in the region. With strategic investments in modern, larger freighter aircraft, the airline is poised to capture a larger share of Africa’s expanding trade, ensuring that it remains competitive in an increasingly dynamic market.
Related News: https://suspicious-zhukovsky.67-21-117-18.plesk.page/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com