Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced a short-term lease agreement with Hi Fly, to address capacity constraints during the peak festive season.
In a statement by the national carrier on December 20, the leased Airbus A330 will be immediately introduced into the KQ fleet, providing the much-needed additional seats and cargo space.
“The ACMI lease will see the immediate introduction of an A330 Airbus into the KQ fleet to support operational efficiency as well as enhance capacity in the market,” read the statement in part.
Subsequently, the move comes as Kenya experiences a surge in demand for air travel, driven by both the festive season and the recent announcement by President William Ruto that Kenya will become a visa-free country for all visitors starting in January 2024.
Commenting on the new development, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka said that the airline needed to take practical steps in the short term to address the pertinent challenges in the market.
Also Read: KQ CEO Reveals New Strategy to Get Kenya Airways from the Hole
“With the current capacity constraints on the back of the growing demand for airline travel, we need to balance our customers’ immediate needs by bringing more capacity into the market,” said Allan.
“This was the quickest way to immediately deal with capacity challenges because it enables us to get an aircraft that is ready to fly,” Kilavuka explained.
“With the arrival of the aircraft, we expect to see improved operational stability and efficiency, as well as enhanced capacity for the convenience of our passengers.”
The leased Airbus A330 has a capacity for 299 passengers, split into 24 in the business cabin and 275 in the economy class.
The aircraft also augments the existing cargo space with additional belly capacity.
Visa Free policy, a boost for Kenya Airways
Nonetheless, the visa-free policy announced by President Ruto on Jamhuri Day is expected to be a major boost for Kenya’s tourism industry, attracting more visitors and stimulating economic growth.
Also Read: Ruto Officially Makes Kenya Visa Free Country
“The lifting of visa requirements is a game-changer for Kenya’s tourism industry,” Allan noted.
By eliminating the need for visas, Kenya hopes to simplify the travel process for tourists and make the country a more attractive destination.
“We expect to see a significant increase in tourist arrivals in the coming months, and we are confident that the additional capacity provided by the leased aircraft will help us meet this demand,” he added.
Also, the visa-free policy will apply to all citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with Kenya and who hold valid passports.
What’s more, the policy is expected to attract more tourists from Africa, Europe, and Asia, and is seen as a major step towards making Kenya a leading tourist destination.
To implement the new policy, Ruto said they had developed a new digital platform that will ensure all travelers to Kenya are identified in advance on an electronic platform.
“It is with great pleasure as President of this extraordinary country to make a historic announcement of the decision of the government of Kenya beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa free country,” Ruto announced.
“It shall be no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the world to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come from Kenya,” he added.
