Kenya Airways Shortlisted for 2024 SkyTeam Aviation Challenge

Kenya Airways (KQ) is the only African airline that has been shortlisted in multiple categories of the SkyTeam Aviation Challenge 2024 – a prestigious global competition, organised by the SkyTeam Alliance – which recognises and rewards innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable aviation industry.

Kenya Airways successfully completed The Aviation Challenge (TAC), operating four long-haul flights as part of the Sky Team Alliance friendly competition towards net zero.

The airline’s efforts across the four international routes – Nairobi to New York City, Nairobi to Amsterdam, Nairobi to Paris and Nairobi to London – featured sustainable in-flight catering, ground operations optimisation, e-mobility transport solutions for passengers, a “travel light” policy that encouraged passengers to minimize baggage weight and waste management initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly operations.

The national carrier has been shortlisted in three main categories including:

Advancing adoption: for Best Scaled Catering Solution: Kenya Airways – Traditional African bread baskets replacing single-use plastic.

Boosting collaboration: Best Team Collaboration: Kenya Airways – Sustainability champions program empowering cross-departmental collaboration.

Empowering sustainability: Best Approach to Scaling SAF: Kenya Airways – Supporting local SAF production, scaling efforts from their previous Innovation Award. Best Climate Literacy: Kenya Airways – Multi-level sustainability training programs.

Kenya Airways, CEO,Mr  Allan Kilavuka, said The Aviation Challenge has been a remarkable journey for Kenya Airways. “Our recognition as finalists in the challenge demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and that sustainable aviation is not just a future vision but a present reality,” Mr Kilavuka said. “The lessons learned and the innovations implemented during this challenge will serve as a foundation for scaling up our sustainability initiatives across all routes and operations.”

This third annual SkyTeam Alliance Aviation Challenge 2024 focused on scaling previously generated solutions. The global competition challenges airlines to develop innovative solutions to real-world industry problems. Mr Kilavuka said KQ’s participation in this year’s challenge reflects the airline’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of innovation.

The winners of the SkyTeam Aviation Challenge 2024 will be announced at an awards ceremony in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in January 2025.

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