Kitony unveils plans to return KQ to profitability

Group MD & CEO Kenya Airways, Capt George Kamal, Board Chairman Mr Kiprono Kittony and the Chief Finance Officer at Kenya Airways, Ms Mary Mwenga. [Courtesy]

Kenya Airways is optimistic about returning to profitability after implementing several strategies.

The national airline’s board chairman, Kiprono Kitony, has announced a series of plans aimed at stabilising the loss-making carrier.

Last year, KQ returned to losses, posting a net loss of Sh17.9 billion for the period ending December 2025, just 12 months after recording a net profit of Sh5.4 billion.

However, Kitony is confident of another return to profitability if a comprehensive plan to increase revenue and reduce operating costs is fully implemented.

He admits the plan involves attracting a strategic investor and expanding and diversifying flights within Africa.

The move to increase flights across the African continent, said the chairman, is motivated by the need to mitigate the effects of global challenges, including the Middle East security crisis, which has led airlines to take longer routes.

According to Kitony, signing a memorandum of understanding with a new investor within eight months is one of the medium-term goals for restoring profitability.

“We are trying to find ways of keeping the airline able to meet the high cost of operations arising from the rising fuel prices. In the medium term, we are rolling out the investment memorandum,” said Kitony.

He added: “We have a strategic investor for the airline and we are confident that there are many companies interested in investing in Kenya Airways.”

Last year’s financial report showed Kenya Airways’ total revenue was Sh161.5 billion, a 14.3 per cent decline from Sh188.5 billion in 2024, while operating costs decreased by 2.8 per cent in 2025 to Sh167.1 billion.

The airline cited the 13 per cent drop in passenger numbers and reduced operations, caused by the grounding of three Dreamliner aircraft due to technical issues, as reasons for the revenue decline.

Kitony expressed confidence that Kenya Airways will identify a specific investor within six to eight months.

“We are also considering adding more equipment to support our intercontinental routes,” said Kitony.

He mentioned the airline’s efforts to enhance its staff's skills to adapt to a changing operational environment and costs.

According to the chairman, the government has invested billions of shillings annually to stabilise Kenya Airways.

“The plan is to expand the fleet and improve staff training. Yes, there is a plan, and soon we shall be rolling out an investment memorandum.

“Uganda has recently invested nearly a billion dollars into the airline, and Ethiopia is making significant investments in the Airbus industry,” he stated.

He added, “It’s heavy capital, and the government, as an investor, is doing what it should. But we are inviting more investors, and there will be more coming on board.”

In December last year, Kenya Airways' top finance officer, Mary Mwenga, noted that geopolitical turbulence had affected the airline.

“In 2025, we experienced several challenges, largely due to geopolitical issues. When tensions like those in the Middle East occur, flying in certain routes forces us to take longer paths, increasing navigation and fuel costs. So, even with a grounded fleet, we still incur costs,” she explained.