Jambojet, Kenya’s leading service low-cost airline, marked a strategic fleet milestone with the return of JXA, its very first Dash 8-400 aircraft, that took off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for Eldoret International Airport on Friday at 14:30 hours.
JXA holds a special place in Jambojet’s journey, having been the first Q-400 leased in 2016 from Abu Dhabi Aviation, a global leader in aviation services. After its lease term concluded, the aircraft returned to the lessor, only to now be re-inducted into the growing fleet as Jambojet’s ninth aircraft.
“This is a reminder of how far we’ve come and how intentional we are about planning for the future,” said Mr Karanja Ndegwa, CEO and Managing Director of Jambojet.
“JXA’s return is a symbol of our commitment to sustainable growth, investment in fleet reliability, continued operational excellence and above all, customer satisfaction.”
With the return of JXA, Jambojet now operates a fleet of nine De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400 aircraft, reinforcing its ability to meet rising demand while maintaining high standards of safety and reliability. The move also aligns with the airline’s strategy to maintain a young and efficient fleet.
The addition of JXA will enable Jambojet to add frequencies to key destinations including Mombasa and Kisumu, routes that have experienced rising demand in recent months.
“This milestone is not just about adding capacity,” Mr Ndegwa said. “It’s about ensuring the regional market is served efficiently and that our customers enjoy reliable service, making their experience more than a journey every time they choose to fly with us.”
The onboarding of JXA involved intricate technical preparations including a c-check, acceptance flight tests, regulatory inspections for airworthiness, de-registration and registration. The ferry flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport to JKIA took 7.5 hours, with two technical stops in Oman, Salalah International Airport and Ethiopia, Bole International Airport.
Over the last decade, Jambojet has flown over 8.6 million passengers, 44% of whom were first-time flyers, and today holds over 53% of Kenya’s domestic air travel market share. With growing regional routes including Mombasa – Zanzibar, the airline continues to broaden its footprint while ensuring affordability and access remain at the core of its offering.
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