Kenya Airways expands cargo capacity with additional freighters

Kenya Airways is introducing a pair of Boeing 737-800 converted freighters in order to expand its cargo capacity.

The flag-carrier says the freighters will contribute to its “diversification strategy” and address a “growing demand” for cargo carriage in the region.

Kenya Airways currently operates a pair of older 737-300 freighters. It indicated that it was launching 737-800F operations during a logistics event in Nairobi this week, and said a second aircraft is due to enter service in February next year.

“With the addition of this [new] freighter, Kenya Airways will now offer increased cargo capacity to existing routes as well as new cargo destinations,” said chief executive Allan Kilavuka.

He said there is a need for African entities to invest in sustainable freight operations – including air cargo – to advance socio-economic development.

Kilavuka stated that the carrier will use the 737s on routes to Dubai World Central – the location of the city’s Al Maktoum airport – as well as Sharjah, plus the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah.

He also identified destinations including Mumbai and the African cities of Lagos, Dakar, N’Djamena, Mogadishu, Freetown and Monrovia.

Kenya Airways already operates the passenger version of the 737-800.

Kenya Airways’ cargo director Dick Murianki had told Air Cargo News of the carrier’s plan to add the freighters earlier this year.

Murianki said that the -800s have better range and can reach further afield than the existing freighters.

He said that once the two 737-800Fs are in place, the carrier would then examine long-haul freighters.

On the reasoning behind the freighter investments, Murianki said that during the Covid crisis the airline had expanded its cargo operations using its passenger aircraft.

“We developed a customer base during the Covid time that is yearning for more, especially to the Middle East and India,” he said.

Kenya Airways Cargo looks to expand freighter fleet