Kenya Airways purchases two new Boeing 737-800s | plans to refloat the airline’s entire aircraft fleet in 2027

Kenya Airways has ordered two new Boeing planes that will be landing in Nairobi within the first three monthst of 2027.

On the other hand, Kenya’s National Airline has assured passengers, investors and shareholders that it expects to have its entire fleet back in operation by January 2027.

The Kenya Airways (KQ) announcement comes as rising demand prompts the national carrier to consider adding another Boeing 777-300ER among four more aircraft it plans to acquire on lease.

The Kenya Airways Group Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) George Kamal pointed out that having all its aircraft back in operation would give the airline confidence to compete in the African and global aviation markets.

“By January 2027, we expect to have the full Kenya Airways fleet back. Once we have our fleet back, we will be able to compete,” he revealed.

Kenya Airways is now looking to lease another Boeing 777-300ER to build on the demand witnessed when the widebody passenger jet returned to service in mid-July 2026.

The aircraft was initially deployed on the Nairobi-Mombasa route, where it attracted significant attention from passengers and aviation enthusiasts before being moved to the lucrative Nairobi-London Heathrow route.

The National Carrier is also banking on adding another 400-seat passenger jet that would provide backup in the event the existing 777-300ER undergoes 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.

The Boeing 777-300ER currently operates on the Nairobi-London Heathrow route, with revenue from the service helping cover the aircraft’s operational costs.

According to quick spot checks, the direct maintenance cost for a mid-life Boeing 777-300ER is approximately US$3,000 to US$4,000 per flight hour, which is typical schedule of around 292 flight hours per month, this translates to roughly US$876,000 to US$1.17 million in monthly maintenance costs.

The high demand on the Nairobi-London Heathrow route necessitated the deployment of the gigantic aircraft, which was previously subleased to Turkish Airlines about 10 years ago under the “Operation Pride” turnaround strategy.

The move was intended to cut excess capacity and improve the carrier’s financial position.

Two more Boeing 737-800s flying in

The airline’s fleet expansion does not stop there.

KQ is also planning to acquire two Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft before the end of 2026, signaling its readiness to tackle high passenger demand on routes connecting travelers to and from its Nairobi hub, particularly during the festive season.

The aircraft can carry between 162 and 189 passengers depending on their configuration and will be used to increase Kenya Airways’ available capacity on short- and medium-haul routes.

The planned expansion comes as the airline continues to grapple with limited aircraft availability, even as passenger demand remains strong. “We have demand; every route we deploy…it’s full, so we need the aircraft as soon as possible,” Kamal said.

The airline is awaiting delivery of two Boeing 737 aircraft, while another two that were due for delivery in April were rejected after failing inspection tests, according to Kamal.

KQ Eyes Bigger Share of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Beyond passenger operations, Kenya Airways is also looking to strengthen its cargo business by expanding its freighter fleet and increasing its share of goods moving through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, where it mainly operates.

According to Kamal, KQ plans to lease two freighters — a Boeing 767 and a Boeing 777 — with the aircraft expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2027.

The two freighters are expected to increase the airline’s cargo capacity from the current 70 tons a day, as KQ targets an increase in its share of the JKIA cargo market from about 11 per cent to 40 per cent.

Apparently, cargo has become one of the airline’s most important revenue streams at a time when passenger profits remained extremely low.

Airline Faces Global Supply Chain Pressure

On its revenues and operations, Kamal said the airline was also grappling with delayed aircraft parts deliveries, reduced aircraft availability and rising global inflation.

While the global backlog in aircraft supplies is affecting many operators, he noted that Kenya Airways’ relatively small fleet of 40 aircraft meant it was being severely affected by the shortages.

Kenya Airways is expected to release its half-year financial results for 2026 next week, with attention likely to focus on whether the airline’s fleet recovery and expansion plans are beginning to ease pressure on its financial performance.

The 49-year-old airline last year reported a pre-tax loss of US$138.56 million on lower revenues, following a rare profit in the previous period.

For KQ, the return of its full fleet — coupled with the planned addition of more passenger and cargo aircraft — could mark a critical phase in its efforts to restore capacity and strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive African aviation market.