Kenya Airways is expanding its fleet through aircraft leases as the national carrier seeks to increase passenger capacity, strengthen cargo operations and reduce disruptions caused by grounded planes.
The airline plans to lease at least four additional aircraft, including two Boeing 737-800s, a Boeing 777-300ER and two cargo freighters, as it works to meet rising demand.
Here is what the expansion means for Kenya Airways and its passengers.
Why is Kenya Airways leasing more aircraft?
Kenya Airways has faced capacity constraints in recent years, partly due to delays in acquiring additional aircraft and the grounding of some planes.
Group Acting Chief Executive Officer George Kamal said the airline plans to lease two Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft before the end of 2026.
The aircraft can carry between 162 and 189 passengers, depending on their configuration, and are expected to increase capacity on short- and medium-haul routes.
The leasing strategy allows the airline to increase its available capacity without waiting for the longer process of acquiring new aircraft.
Why does Kenya Airways need a Boeing 777-300ER?
The airline is also seeking to lease a Boeing 777-300ER for its long-haul operations.
Kamal said the aircraft would increase capacity while also serving as operational backup when another wide-body aircraft is undergoing scheduled maintenance or is unexpectedly grounded.
“We are looking to lease a 777-300ER to be able to increase our capacity but also replace our plane during maintenance or any emergency grounding,” Kamal said.
The Boeing 777-300ER can accommodate roughly 400 passengers, making it considerably larger than the 737-800 aircraft being targeted for shorter routes.
Kenya Airways has previously deployed its existing 777-300ER on the Nairobi-London route when demand has required additional capacity.
The additional wide-body aircraft would therefore give the airline more flexibility in managing long-haul routes and reduce the risk of cancellations or capacity shortages when aircraft are unavailable.
What is Kenya Airways planning for cargo?
The fleet expansion will also target the airline’s cargo business.
Kenya Airways plans to lease two freighter aircraft — a Boeing 767 and a Boeing 777 — with delivery expected in the first quarter of 2027.
The additional freighters are expected to significantly increase the airline’s cargo capacity as it seeks to capture a larger share of freight moving through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Kamal said Kenya Airways currently handles about 70 tonnes of cargo per day.
The airline wants to increase its share of the JKIA cargo market from approximately 11 per cent to 40 per cent.
The expansion could strengthen Kenya Airways’ role in transporting high-value and time-sensitive goods, while supporting Kenya’s position as a regional logistics hub.
How many Kenya Airways planes are currently grounded?
Kenya Airways currently has six aircraft grounded.
Two are undergoing maintenance, while four are awaiting engine parts.
The airline expects the required engine components to arrive in September, which could allow some of the grounded aircraft to return to service.
Despite the grounded planes, Kenya Airways has increased its active fleet over the past year.
The carrier currently operates 26 aircraft, compared with 19 in mid-2025.
What does the expansion mean for passengers?
For passengers, additional aircraft could mean more available seats, greater scheduling flexibility and improved reliability, particularly on routes experiencing high demand.
The Boeing 737-800s are expected to boost capacity on short- and medium-haul routes, while the additional 777-300ER would strengthen long-haul operations.
Having an extra wide-body aircraft could also provide a buffer when another plane is undergoing maintenance or is unexpectedly grounded.
The planned fleet expansion is therefore part of Kenya Airways’ broader effort to restore capacity, support passenger and cargo growth and improve the resilience of its operations.
