NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – Kenya Airways (KQ) plans to more than double its aircraft fleet to 67 by 2030 from the current 32 to meet rising passenger demand.
The national carrier expects its fleet to reach 100 aircraft by 2035, alongside an increase in annual passenger numbers to 9 million by 2030, up from the current 5.2 million.
The expansion comes after KQ returned its 400-seat Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft, which operates on the Nairobi–London Heathrow route, to service on July 17, 2026, after a decade-long absence.
The airline unveiled the growth strategy during the Kenya Travel Agents Engagement & Awards 2026 in Nairobi, where it recognized top-performing travel agency partners for their contribution to sales and market growth.
BCD Travel Limited, trading as Highlight Travel, emerged as the Top Revenue Contributor for 2025, while Hemingways Travel and Satguru Tours & Travel Limited were named first and second runners-up, respectively.
Incentive Travel Limited received the Top Travel Marketing Company by Market Share award, Elite Travel Services was recognized as the Corporate Revenue Leader, while Ramani Travel Solution Limited was named the year’s most improved partner by revenue growth.
Speaking at the event, KQ Acting Group Managing Director and CEO Capt. George Kamal said travel agents remain central to the airline’s long-term growth strategy.
“As Kenya Airways approaches our 50-year milestone, our future success will continue to be built through strong relationships and shared success with the travel trade,” Kamal said.
“Travel trade partners are our largest distribution channel in Kenya, contributing approximately 60 percent of our passenger revenue, and we see our growth and yours as one journey.”
