KQ’s new E-Jet to boost African presence
21-Jan-2013 Kenya Airways has boosted its fleet with the latest arrival of a new Embraer E-190 jet as it expands with an eye on the lucrative African market.
It is the sixth out of ten fully owned E-190 jets that Kenya Airways expects to take delivery by mid this year. The new aircraft is suited for short regional routes within the Africa continent, where the airline is keen on boosting its presence.
Registered 5Y - FFF, the E190 has 96 seats, 12 in business and 84 in economy class. With this addition Kenya Airways has 11 Embraer E190s currently flying in its livery.
"Acquisition of the E-190 aircraft is a step towards growing the airline network by route and frequency growth, and the E190 is ideal especially for new routes development, while increasing frequencies on existing routes", said Dr Titus Naikuni, the Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer.
Africa is an important market for the airline, generating about half of its airline's total revenue. In addition to this, it has maintained resilience even as the airline goes through difficult times. According to the operating statistics for the second quarter of 2012, African routes are amongst those that recorded growth despite a general slump in the global economy that was triggered by the crisis in the Eurozone.
Under its 10-year strategic plan, Kenya Airways targets increasing its fleet to 119 by 2021; while growing the number of destinations to over 115 from the over 50 that it currently flies to.
In addition to the E-jets, Kenya Airways has also ordered nine Boeing 787 Dreamliners that are slated for delivery by 2014.