Kenya Airways has warned of expected flight delays and cancellations due to new proposals in the Strategic Goods Control Bill, 2026, currently before Parliament. KQ presented its position before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo.
Company Secretary and Director of Legal Services Habil Waswani said the proposed regulations could slow the importation of essential aircraft spare parts needed for uninterrupted flight operations.
The Bill, sponsored by Kikuyu lawmaker Kimani Ichung’wah, aims to control the import, export, and transit of strategic and dual-use goods that may be misused for military or terrorist purposes.
KQ Warns of Operational Delays from Additional Clearance Requirements
Kenya Airways stated that commercial aviation equipment is already governed by strict international regulatory systems, including certification and oversight by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Aviation is already a highly regulated safety and security sector,” Waswani told the committee during public participation on the Bill.
“The parts that you put on aircraft have to be inspected and certified by international bodies before airlines can operate into certain territories.”
The airline recommended that Parliament revise Section 3(2) of the Bill or introduce a clause exempting ICAO-certified civil aviation parts, software, and services used in commercial passenger transport, provided end-use certification is maintained.
Waswani noted that adding another layer of approval would duplicate existing processes and create inefficiencies in an industry already subject to comprehensive global safety regulations.
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He told lawmakers that delays in releasing aircraft parts directly affect operational reliability, particularly for airlines with smaller fleets.
KQ, which operates about 34 aircraft, said the unavailability of a single aircraft due to pending spare parts can significantly disrupt flight schedules.
“For Kenya Airways, we currently have around 34 aircraft. When one aircraft goes down and you need a replacement part, delays in securing that part affect operations immediately,” Waswani said.
Cause of Flight Disruptions and Competitiveness Concerns
KQ referenced a recent case involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that experienced a technical issue before a scheduled flight to Dubai, resulting in passengers being transferred to a smaller aircraft.
It added that critical spare parts are often flown in overnight from international locations such as New York and require immediate customs clearance to enable engineers to return aircraft to service within tight timelines.
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The carrier linked frequent delays and cancellations to limited fleet capacity and challenges in quickly accessing necessary components.
“You hear complaints that Kenya Airways is always late or unreliable, but sometimes the root cause is operational realities linked to limited fleet size and turnaround times,” the company secretary said.
Waswani added that without fast-track clearance procedures, Kenya Airways could face reduced competitiveness compared to larger airlines such as Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines, which operate bigger fleets and have greater operational flexibility.
The airline proposed the introduction of a pre-clearance system for aviation-specific parts and equipment to speed up processing while maintaining security requirements.
