Kenya Airways acquires a new Embraer to growing fleet KQ proud owner of the 900th E-Jet Manufactured

Kenya Airways has added another Embraer E-jet to its rapidly growing fleet as it expands its destinations in Africa while increasing frequencies on existing routes.

The aircraft registered 5Y- FFC was delivered in a special ceremony in Brazil as it was the 900the E-Jet to be produced by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer.

According to Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Dr. Titus Naikuni, increasing the number of Embraer aircraft in Kenya Airways will help the airline consolidate its presence on the continent where it flies to 46 destinations.

"It is a real honor for Kenya Airways to be part of this highlight in Embraer's history, by receiving the 900th E-Jet," said Dr. Naikuni. "The E190 is a versatile aircraft suited to our growth ambitions on the African continent. Given its mid-range capabilities, it ably supports our plans to fly new routes and increase frequencies on existing ones. It affords our passengers excellent cabin comfort while enhancing operating efficiency. This new acquisition brings the airline closer to our vision of flying to every capital in Africa in the next few years."

"The delivery of the 900th E-Jet is a great achievement for Embraer, and we are very pleased to deliver this aircraft to Kenya Airways, one of Africa's leading airlines, only eight years after the first E-Jets entered revenue service in 2004," said Paulo Cesar Silva, Embraer President, Commercial Aviation. "E-Jets were the first aircraft to change traditional thinking about 70 to 120-seat aircraft and revolutionizing regional transportation by bringing more connectivity or frequencies to passengers who can now fly when they want and not when it is operationally feasible for the carrier."

Today, E-Jets are in service with more than 60 airlines from 40 countries with four different types of business models - mainline, low-cost carriers, regional application and most recently, with scheduled tour operator. The aircraft routinely fly long sectors, over water and operate at some of the world's most challenging airfields.

Kenya Airways' E190 aircrafts are configured in a dual-class layout with 96 seats: 12 in business class and 84 in economy. They feature individual screens for every seat, with In Flight Entertainment on demand. This aircraft joins the Airline's existing fleet of twelve Embraer aircraft, comprising a mixture of five E170s and seven E190s. Kenya Airways has seven more E190 aircraft on order with a delivery each month between now and February 2013.

Currently, KQ uses Embraer E190 aircraft on domestic and short regional routes including Kisumu, Entebbe, Kigali, Bujumbura, Addis Ababa, Djibouti, Maputo, Gaborone, and Nampula. The airline plans to start flights to Eldoret in Kenya next week Wednesday 17th October.