Kenya Airways has restored its Boeing 777-300ER service on the flagship London Heathrow Airport route on July 17, marking the return of one of its largest aircraft to a key international route.
It was reported by ch-aviation that this widebody aircraft was taken back from Turkish Airlines following the expiry of a long-term operating lease and the aircraft returned from Istanbul to Nairobi on July 7. The aircraft then flew the from Nairobi to Mombasa from the July 12-16 before commencing the London Heathrow flight.
The 400-seat aircraft is expected to increase capacity on the Nairobi-London route, which operates seven weekly flights and remains one of Kenya Airways’ busiest international services.
The Boeing 777-300ER is the largest aircraft in the airline’s passenger fleet, offering significantly more capacity than the airline’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, which are configured to carry 234 passengers.
Kenya Airways currently operates nine Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, alongside the returning Boeing 777-300ER, which provides additional passenger and cargo capacity on long-haul routes.
Improve connectivity to international markets, increase passenger handling to 22 million a year
The deployment marks the return of the wide-body aircraft to the airline’s fleet and is expected to enhance the airline’s operations on one of its busiest international routes while increasing cargo space for exports destined for European markets.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the aircraft’s return would improve the airline’s ability to connect Kenya to international markets while providing additional cargo capacity for key export sectors.
Chirchir further asserted, “We remain committed to strengthening Kenya Airways through strategic reforms, a stronger balance sheet, the pursuit of a strategic investor, and policies that will ensure the airline remains commercially sustainable, competitive, and profitable.”
Chirchir said the government was complementing the fleet expansion by accelerating the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) through upgraded airfield infrastructure, expanded terminals, modern baggage and security systems, and increased aircraft parking capacity.
According to the Chirchir, the expansion is expected to increase JKIA’s annual passenger handling capacity from 7.5 million to approximately 22 million, reinforcing Nairobi’s position as the preferred aviation gateway to East and Central Africa.
