Kenya Airways adds metal to Asian expansion
Kenya Airways is planning a major drive into Asia, with new aircraft deliveries enabling it to open up new routes across the region.
Speaking with Travel Daily this week, Mbuvi Ngunze, Kenya Airways’ chief operating officer said the arrival of three new Boeing 777-300ERs and nine B787 Dreamliners would allow the airline to “put our own metal into Asia”, with China the major area of focus. Kenya Airways recently launched direct flights between Dubai and Hong Kong and raised the frequency of its Nairobi-Bangkok-Guangzhou flights to daily. But Ngunze said the airline had even greater ambitions in the Asia.
“As part of our expansion plan we want to put our own metal into Asia. As we receive new aircraft, such as our Boeing 787s and 777-300ERs, the main focus areas for us will be India, China and southern Asia. Europe is a mature market and already well covered; we see the growth coming from Asia,” Ngunze told Travel Daily in an interview in Bangkok. “China is… showing strong potential and right now we are only in the south. Beijing and its environs probably have the biggest market out of China, so need to find a way to play in that market in future.”
Ngunze added that under Kenya Airways 10-year expansion plan, “all major Asian cities are being targeted”, including Southeast Asian hubs such as Manila and Kuala Lumpur, as well as more points in India.
Kenya Airways has firm orders for nine B787s and three B777-300ERs, and Ngunze stated that despite the recent problems with the Dreamliner, the airline’s delivery schedule is on track.
“According to Boeing the current indications are that we are still on track to receive our first 787 in Q1 2014,” he revealed. “We will have five deliveries next year and four the following year, and we have no reason to think this won’t go ahead. We also have one B777-300ER due for delivery in October this year and two due for delivery late next year. We’ll be announcing the deployment of the first 777 shortly, but I can’t reveal anything at the moment,” he added.
The Kenya Airways B787s will be configured with 264 seats in two classes – business and economy – and will replace the airline’s smaller B767s, which are being retired.
And while Asia is the key market for Kenya Airways, Ngunze said he believed that the rise of Africa would also play a major role in the development of intercontinental routes in the coming years.
“My sense is that we are seeing a significant ‘peace dividend’ in Africa. Economic growth is exceeding the global average and despite some upheaval here or there, the upward trajectory is positive. China is investing significantly in Africa so I expect China will be an increasingly important part of our business,” he concluded. CLICK HERE to read the full interview with Mbuvi Mgunze.