(Posted 25th March 2026)
Kenya Airways is experiencing a rare uptick in passenger demand, with seat occupancy climbing to nearly full capacity, offering temporary relief from its $2.4 billion debt burden.
Acting CEO George Kamal highlighted that flights are now operating at 90–99% load factor, up from roughly 70% in January. Long-haul routes connecting Nairobi to Europe, the U.S., and Asia are driving much of the growth as travelers adjust plans amid ongoing global disruptions.
The airline’s financial pressures remain significant. As of June 2025, liabilities stood at Ksh309.9 billion ($2.4 billion), against Ksh180.3 billion ($1.4 billion) in assets, resulting in negative equity of Ksh129.5 billion ($1 billion).
Officials are actively seeking strategic investment, including potential asset bundling and converting Ksh63.1 billion ($490 million) from the Tsavo facility into equity. Plans are also underway to raise at least $500 million in fresh capital to expand the fleet and strengthen competitiveness.
While the rebound provides short-term relief, Kenya Airways’ long-term turnaround hinges on securing funding and sustaining booking momentum.
