KQ CEO Titus Naikuni awarded for contribution to Airline Industry

By Roselyn Obala

Kenya Airways’ Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni has been feted for his contribution to the air transport business.

 Dr Naikuni was recognized during the prestigious Airline Strategy Awards 2013 held in London at the weekend.    

 He received the ‘Airline Business Award’, which distinguishes an individual who has made a lasting strategic contribution to the air transport business, during this year’s edition of the awards.

 Speaking after receiving news of the recognition, Naikuni said it was a great honour to be feted by colleagues in the aviation industry from across the world.

 “I would like to acknowledge colleagues at Kenya Airways and our customers, whose support has contributed to this recognition,” said the Kenya Airways CEO.

 In the citation, the judging panel, which had comprised of highly respected industry professionals including analysts and former chief executives, recognized his ten years tenure at KQ.

 “During his 10 years at the helm, Naikuni has steered Kenya Airways on to a profitable and stable growth path and established it as one of Africa’s leading airlines,” the judges acknowledged.

 They explained “During the course of Naikuni’s tenure at KQ, revenue has more than trebled to approximately 90billion, passenger numbers have jumped to 3.6 million and the airline’s fleet has doubled to 42.”

The panel also recognized that Kenya Airways has totally revamped its fleet and become the first carrier in the region to join a global alliance, as well as a leading beacon of private enterprise in a region where state ownership remains the norm. 

Among past winners of the ‘Airline Business Award’ include Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways (2012) and Tim Clark, the CEO of Emirates Airline (2011). 

Other individuals honoured during this year’s event included James Hogan, the CEO of Etihad Airways in the Executive Leadership category; Carolyn McCall, the CEO of Easyjet in the Low Cost Leadership category and Tewolde Gebremariam, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines in the Regional Leadership Award category. 

Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa and KLM were also awarded in the Finance, Marketing, Technology and Environment categories.