HAPPY 38TH BIRTHDAY TO THE PRIDE OF AFRICA
(Posted 28th January 2015)
As Kenya Airways’ turns 38, many of the older generation will remember how it all started. First there was East African Airways, the combined national airline of the then East African Community comprising Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. A birthday celebration is not the time to go into the details how EAA went under but it sure is the time to remember that from those ashes rose three separate national airlines, Kenya Airways being the first out of the blocks at the time in late January 1977.
Operating a fleet of Boeing B707’s and the derivative B720, McDonnelDouglas DC9 and Fokker 27’s, did Kenya Airways launch their inaugural flight on the 04th of February 1977, leaving Nairobi for London via Frankfurt. On the domestic front did KQ immediately serve Mombasa, Malindi and Kisumu, before progressively adding regional and other international routes. Fully government owned until 1995, and during that time beset by problems parastatal companies experienced in those days, did Kenya however set out to privatize a significant percentage of shares. This was accomplished after the government absorbed the accumulated losses.
KLM at that time bought 26 percent of the shares, 23 percent were retained by the Kenyan government and investors from Kenya and beyond purchased the remaining 51 percent. Aviation regulators however were keeping an eye on the nationality requirements which dictated that Kenyans and Kenyan corporations had to hold a 51 percent share majority to retain the status of a national airline.
Today, from the humble beginnings in 1977, has Kenya Airways become one of Africa’s leading airlines with an extensive route network across the continent, into Europe, the Middle East, India and Asia. The Pride of Africa as Kenya Airways is known, presently operates a fleet of 46 jets, which over the next few months will grow above 50 when a further 3 B787 Dreamliners and another 2 B737-800NG’s arrive in Nairobi.
As a regular flyer, and as one who rates their service above any of the two other airlines vying for supremacy in the African skies, it is a hearty Happy Birthday and Happy Landing, always.
The airline has released a short 1 minute clip on YouTube, link shown below showcasing the progress they have made over the past years. Enjoy the show! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSfiGcqDoMw
One Response
Good to see women pilots at the helm, as well as beautiful stewardesses serving drinks and taking care of children!