Kenya Airways Expansion

[Mark Grima]

From todays e-travel blackboard

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.

The 145 seater aircraft is powered by two (2) CFM 56-7B26/3 Engines, capable of up to 26,000lb of take off thrust.

The 737-800 aircraft is instrumental to Kenya Airways strategy of connecting Africa to the rest of the world. With its modern cabin and increased baggage capacity, it enables Kenya Airways to develop its African network with the customer needs in mind. It also comes at a time when the airline is aggressively seeking to improve its systems and fleet to cater for its growing passenger base.

The delivery of KYE will help the airline with some of the tight aircraft utilisation that comes in the busy high season and also cater for the growing demand for cargo space. The additional aircraft will allow for more maintenance ground time resulting in minimised disruptions and inconveniences to the passenger.

The delivery flight from Seattle, which included stops in London and Cairo, was operated by a team consisting of Captain Peter Kimeria, Captain Rohit Joshi and First Officer Martin Butt. Also on the delivery flight were officials and Engineers from Kenya Airways.

Cheers

M