NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya Airways plans to lease at least four additional aircraft as it expands capacity, seeks to return grounded planes to service and positions itself to meet rising passenger and cargo demand.
The national carrier plans to acquire two Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft before the end of 2026, Group Acting Chief Executive Officer George Kamal said on Wednesday, August 19.
The aircraft can carry between 162 and 189 passengers, depending on their configuration, and are expected to increase capacity on the airline’s short- and medium-haul routes.
The additional aircraft come as Kenya Airways works to strengthen its fleet after years of capacity constraints and delays in acquiring new planes.
Kenya Airways targets Boeing 777
The airline is also seeking to lease a Boeing 777-300ER to provide additional capacity on long-haul routes and act as operational cover when its existing wide-body aircraft is undergoing scheduled maintenance or is unexpectedly grounded.
“We are looking to lease a 777-300ER to be able to increase our capacity but also replace our plane during maintenance or any emergency grounding,” Kamal said.
Speaking during a media roundtable at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, the acting CEO said delays in acquiring new aircraft had partly driven the leasing strategy.
The Boeing 777-300ER can provide capacity equivalent to roughly 400 seats, making it significantly larger than the 737-800 aircraft being targeted for short- and medium-haul operations.
Kenya Airways has deployed its existing 777-300ER on the Nairobi-London route when demand requires additional capacity.
The additional wide-body aircraft would give the airline greater flexibility in managing its long-haul schedule while reducing the risk of disruptions when aircraft are unavailable.
Cargo expansion
Beyond passenger operations, Kenya Airways is planning a major expansion of its cargo business.
The airline intends to lease two freighter aircraft — a Boeing 767 and a Boeing 777 — with delivery expected in the first quarter of 2027.
The additional freighters are expected to significantly increase the carrier’s cargo-handling capacity as it seeks to capture a larger share of freight moving through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Kamal said Kenya Airways currently handles about 70 tonnes of cargo per day and is targeting an increase in its share of JKIA’s cargo market from approximately 11 per cent to 40 per cent.
The cargo expansion would position the airline to take advantage of Kenya’s role as a regional logistics hub, particularly for high-value and time-sensitive goods.
Six aircraft remain grounded
The fleet expansion is being pursued alongside efforts to return existing aircraft to service.
Kenya Airways currently has six aircraft grounded, with two undergoing maintenance and four awaiting engine parts.
The airline expects the required engine components to arrive in September, potentially allowing some of the grounded aircraft to return to operations.
Despite the grounded planes, the carrier’s active fleet has grown significantly over the past year.
Kenya Airways currently operates 26 aircraft, compared with 19 in mid-2025.
The increase reflects ongoing efforts to restore capacity and improve the airline’s ability to serve growing demand across its network.
