The Kenyan Transport Ministry has disclosed details of Kenya Airways' aircraft ownership amid parliamentary scrutiny over the airline's capacity to manage Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Kenya Airways (KQ) is seeking a concession agreement with the Kenya Airports Authority to operate and maintain the airport, prompting questions about its financial viability after years of losses. Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia denied allegations that KQ operates planes owned by private individuals linked to a potential airport takeover.
Macharia confirmed KQ operates 40 aircraft, with 20 owned and 20 leased. The airline has leased three Boeing 777-300ERs to Turkish Airlines and one Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to Oman Air, generating lease income, according to a ministry statement.
KQ's fleet includes 20 owned aircraft, such as a Boeing 737-300 ER, six Boeing 787-8s, and ten Embraer 190s, with the remaining 20 leased from entities like Aviation Capital Group, GE Capital Aviation Services, and China Development Bank. Financing details reveal seven Boeing 737-300s are under the Tsavo Ltd Loan structure, while Standard Chartered and Afrexim Bank finance 10 Embraer 190s through the Samburu Ltd loan.
Parliamentary committees are investigating claims that the airline's airport management bid could serve as a 'trojan horse' for private interests to acquire JKIA. Macharia emphasized ongoing efforts to optimize KQ's fleet to boost revenues and reduce costs.
