NAIROBI—Jambojet, the Kenyan low-cost carrier, is embarking on a dual-pronged strategy to fortify its position in the competitive East African aviation market: a calculated fleet expansion coupled with a significant investment in its in-house maintenance and repair capabilities.
The airline, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, recently added its 10th aircraft, a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400, in June 2025. This addition is the first step in an ambitious plan to grow its fleet to 11 aircraft by early 2026 and ultimately to 16 by 2029. The latest turboprop, registered as 5Y-JXA, was acquired on lease from Abu Dhabi Aviation, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to operating a single-type fleet to streamline operations.
Beyond simply adding capacity, Jambojet’s long-term vision is to become a regional specialist in aircraft maintenance. The airline’s CEO, Karanja Ndegwa, has highlighted the goal of expanding the company’s in-house maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for its Q400 fleet. This strategic pivot is a direct response to global supply chain disruptions and aims to reduce operational costs and reliance on third-party service providers.
Jambojet has already gained certification to perform both line and base maintenance and is now working on heavy checks. The move is designed to not only ensure the airline’s own fleet remains operational but also to create a new revenue stream. According to Mr. Ndegwa, the airline plans to offer third-party maintenance services focused exclusively on the Q400 starting in 2026. This would position the carrier as a critical regional player in the MRO sector.
While the strategy holds significant promise, it is not without challenges. The company still faces parts shortages and long delays for engine shop visits, which have at times necessitated the leasing of spare engines. Nevertheless, Jambojet’s leadership views the investment in infrastructure and technical capacity as a “game changer” that could serve as a model for other African carriers looking to manage high costs and a lack of spares.
