KQ to add 3 narrow-body planes; grounded Dreamliners to resume duty

National carrier Kenya Airways is set to add three narrow-body planes to its fleet. This has been announced by the company’s chief executive officer Allan Kilavuka. According to Kilavuka, the three narrow-body planes are expected to boost the national carrier’s seat capacity by 528 seats.

“Plans are underway to increase our seat capacity with the addition of 3 narrow-body aircraft, which will increase our seat capacity by offering an additional 528 seats and belly capacity increase by 239 percent by Q4 of 2025,” said Kilavuka.

He further announced that the first of three Kenya Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliners that have been grounded since late 2024 will be resuming service on July 22, 2025. The B787-8 Dreamliners had been grounded over engine maintenance and overhaul. The two engines of the Dreamliner aircraft are expected to undergo an overhaul which is typically required every five years or after 3,000 flight cycles.

“We have had three of our Dreamliner aircraft grounded due to industry supply chain constraints as well as engine availability. One of the aircraft is scheduled to return to service on July 22, 2025,” he said.

“This is a significant milestone for our fleet and operations. The return of the Dreamliner will not only alleviate the capacity constraints that had shrunk by 20 percent due to the grounding but also enhance our capacity back to 85 percent, ensuring a smoother travel experience for our customers.”

Mr. Kilavuka further added that the carrier is expecting to have the second Dreamliner back in operation on September 25, 2025, and the third one by December 19, 2025.

“With safety as the cornerstone of our operations and travel demand surging during this time, we are eager to provide our passengers with additional capacity and comfort. We look forward to welcoming travellers back aboard our Dreamliner,” he said.

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“Despite the recent challenges, including flight delays, cancellations, and schedule changes, we want you to know that we are doing everything possible to ensure that these are being resolved quickly for your convenience and comfort.”