Kenya aviation breaking news – Two more B777-300ER to join Kenya Airways growing fleet

KENYA AIRWAYS SIGNS UP WITH GECAS FOR TWO MORE B777-300ER

Kenya Airways has yesterday late afternoon confirmed that they have signed a long term lease agreement with leading aircraft leasing company GECAS for the delivery of two more very long haul B777-300ER, at a press conference held at the InterContinental Hotel in Nairobi.
The two aircraft are due to boost the airlines capacity and allow for the planned expansion of destinations into key markets, and will be delivered between October 2013 and May 2014. Dr. Titus Naikuni, CEO of Kenya Airways was reported to have said: With the increased passenger and cargo capacity that the Boeing B777-300ER offers, we are pleased with this development as it will see Kenya Airways significantly increase tonnage and passenger capacity while enhancing our premium service offering to Europe and the Far East. This also speaks to Kenya Airways efforts of flying a more efficient and environmentally friendly fleet.
The 12 year lease will further cement a long standing relationship between KQ and GECAS, which already has 3 B767-300ERs placed with The Pride of Africa. Both aircraft will be configured in Kenya Airways two class layout, with state of the art flat bed seats in Business and enhanced seating comfort in Economy, carrying about 400 passengers overall.
This latest development will allow KQ to keep pace with neighbours Ethiopian Airlines which is equally vying for continental aviation supremacy. Notably will the two rival alliances, global leader Star Alliance ET is an applicant member due to join soon and SkyTeam to which Kenya Airways belongs, be able to offer their passengers an unrivalled reach into Africa via the main hubs in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, giving them the widest possible coverage across the continent and way ahead of third rival OneWorld, which has been struggling to connect Africa in the absence of a key partner on the continent. As always, you read it first here so watch this space for more news from the aviation scene in Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean region.