DOHA, Qatar— Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation between the two national carriers, marking a major expansion in air connectivity between East Africa and the Middle East.
Signed in Doha by Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka, the agreement sets the stage for a comprehensive codeshare partnership and increased flight frequencies.
As part of the agreement, Qatar Airways will introduce a third daily flight between Doha and Nairobi, operated in codeshare with Kenya Airways.
Bookings are expected to open in the coming days. Additionally, direct flights between Doha and Mombasa, operated by Kenya Airways and marketed by Qatar Airways, will launch during the winter season.
The expanded partnership aims to provide travellers with more seamless connections and a broader range of destinations through both airlines’ networks.
“This partnership is yet another demonstration of our deepening ties with the African region,” said Al-Meer. “As we mark 20 years of flying to Kenya, we are proud to continue building bridges that support the continent’s aviation and economic transformation.”
We have signed an MoU with @qatarairways to enhance Kenya–Qatar connectivity through codeshare flights, a new Mombasa–Doha route, and future collaboration in cargo, loyalty, and ground services. Learn more: ow.ly/RBKU50WiYq7#ThePrideofAfrica
Kilavuka hailed the deal as a milestone in Kenya Airways’ post-pandemic recovery and growth strategy, saying it would contribute to economic development across the region.
“This collaboration aligns perfectly with our turnaround strategy, which saw Kenya Airways return to profitability earlier this year for the first time in over a decade,” he said. “It will support our efforts to enhance tourism, boost cargo operations, and expand our global footprint.”
Beyond passenger travel, the two airlines plan to explore cooperation in other areas, including cargo services, airport operations, maintenance and repair, procurement, and customer loyalty programmes.
The agreement follows a string of accolades for Kenya Airways at the 2025 World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala, where it was named Africa’s Leading Airline for the fourth consecutive year.
It also won awards for Best Business Class, Best Airline Brand, and Best Inflight Magazine for its flagship publication Msafiri.
Qatar Airways, voted 2025 World’s Best Airline by Skytrax and the only five-star global airline based in the Middle East, currently operates over 170 weekly flights to nearly 30 cities across Africa.
Over the past year, the Gulf carrier has optimized its schedules in key African destinations to improve onward connectivity to cities including New York, Brussels, Guangzhou, and London via its award-winning hub at Hamad International Airport.
