BUSINESS

Inside Kenya Airways Newest High Capacity Plane, A330 Airbus

Share
Kenya Airways Airbus 330
And as a wide-bodied plane, the Airbus 330 aircraft augments the existing cargo space with additional belly capacity. (Photo: Courtesy)
Share

Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ), has signed a short-term lease agreement with Hi Fly, the lease and charter specialist to enhance operational capacity and efficiency during the peak Christmas and New Year festive season.

The ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) lease will see the immediate introduction of an A330 Airbus into the KQ fleet. Also known as wet or damp leasing, ACMI leasing is an agreement between two airlines, where the lessor agrees to provide an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance to the lessee in return for payment on the number of block hours operated.

Kenya Airways Airbus 330 lease
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Mr Allan Kilavuka, says the airline had to take practical steps to address the pertinent challenges in the market.

The wide-bodied aircraft has a capacity for 299 passengers, split into 24 in the business cabin and 275 in the economy class. And as a wide-bodied plane, it augments the existing cargo space with additional belly capacity.

Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Mr Allan Kilavuka, said the airline needed to take practical steps in the short-term to address the pertinent challenges in the market. “With the current capacity constraints on the back of the growing demand for airline travel, we need to balance our customers’ immediate needs by bringing more capacity into the market,” said Mr Kilavuka.

The arrival of the aircraft will also support the anticipated increased number of travellers following the recent announcement by President William Ruto removing visa requirements fo visitors to Kenya starting January in 2024 making Kenya visa-free country.

>> Journalist Replaces Ezra Chiloba as Communications Authority Boss

According to Mr Kilavuka, this was the quickest way to immediately deal with capacity challenges because it enables us to get an aircraft that is ready to fly. “With the arrival of the aircraft, we expect to see improved operational stability and efficiency, as well as enhanced capacity for the convenience of our passengers,” Mr Kilavuka said.

KQ’s fleet comprises of wide-body Boeing aircraft that includes its flagship B787 Dreamliner and narrow-body Embraer E190 aircraft. The on-board service is renowned worldwide and the lie-flat business class seat on the wide body aircraft is consistently voted among the world’s top 10.

Kenya Airways, a member of the Sky Team Alliance, is a leading African airline flying to 42 destinations worldwide, 35 of them in Africa.

>> 10 Most Valuable Companies in Kenya and What Fuels Their Growth

>> Little Known Kericho Billionaire Behind West Valley Sugar Factory

Written by
BILL YAURA -

Bill Yaura is a Correspondent for Business Today. He can be reached on email: [email protected]

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us

Related Articles
iHub expands operations in east africa
BUSINESS

Tech Incubator iHub Pumps Sh1.3 Billion in Startups, Eyes Regional Expansion

Africa’s Pioneering tech incubator - iHub - is pushing for greater Pan-African...

National Bank of Kenya - NBK Kenya profit 2024
BUSINESS

NBK Shakes Kenya’s Banking Industry With 142% Growth in Profit

The National Bank of Kenya (NBK) has recorded an outstanding growth in...

I&M Bank Posts Pre-tax Profit of Ksh14.1 Billion
BUSINESS

I&M Bank Posts Pre-tax Profit of Ksh14.1 Billion

This week, I&M Bank reported a monster jump in its third-quarter earnings,...

The Chairman of the Kenya Power Board of Directors, Joy Brenda Masinde speaking during the launch of the Kenya Power Sustainability Strategy.
BUSINESS

Kenya Power Turns on a New Business Strategy

Kenya Power has launched its sustainability strategy that provides a roadmap for...