Kenya Airways will launch direct flights to the Chinese capital, Beijing, as part of its strategic global expansion.
The airline, which has recently returned to profitability after years of posting a loss, has been flying to Guangzhou for nearly 20 years and is now looking to expand its wings to other key Chinese cities.
However, the airline will need to modernise its ageing fleet before launching the new route, according to sources in China.
With a population of approximately 1.3 billion, China is increasingly becoming a major global power, with its government encouraging citizens to invest and seek markets for their goods and services worldwide.
There are currently over 500 Chinese companies registered and operating in Kenya, and this number is expected to grow if Kenya Airways successfully expands its routes in China.
President William Ruto, who is on a state visit, is promoting increased tourism from China to Kenya.
“For us, it is not just a commercial relationship, but a people-to-people connection that we are looking to deepen,” the President told CGTN in an interview.
With the state signing a new Memorandum of Understanding that will widen Kenyans exports to China beyond avocados, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singóe it is important for Kenya Airways and other carriers to fly in and out of Beijing and other cities.
“Cargo to Beijing and from China to Nairobi needs to move faster. We want to reach other cities in China to capture a share of the 20 million Chinese tourists,” said Sing’oe.
Kenya’s diverse tourism resources and relaxed visa policies have contributed to a growing interest among Chinese tourists.
With attractions ranging from breathtaking wildlife safaris to rich cultural experiences, Kenya has become an increasingly popular destination for travellers from China.
The introduction of the Beijing flight aims to cater to this expanding market and facilitate easier access for Chinese tourists.
To support its growing operations in China, Kenya Airways is forming partnerships with several Chinese airlines through interline agreements and code-sharing arrangements. \
These collaborations are designed at streamlining travel, offering passengers flexibility.
The airline is actively recruiting Chinese-speaking cabin crew to enhance customer service and ensure effective communication with its Chinese clientele.
The national carrier broke an 11- year full- year profit dry spell to post Sh5.4 billion in net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2024.
This represents a remarkable turnaround from a loss of Sh22.6 billion reported the previous year, reflecting an improvement of Sh28 billion and a 124 per cent increase in net profit.
Although the airline had earlier posted a half-year profit of Sh513 million, it had never posted a full-year profit in over a decade since 2013.
The airline’s boss Allan Kilavuka attributed the growth to the effectiveness of the recovery strategy under Project Kifaru, which has focused on enhancing operational performance through various initiatives and delivering exceptional customer service through specific actions.
According to management, the company is committed to optimising its network, investing in fleet and route expansion, modernising cabin interiors, and diversifying business segments to ensure sustainable growth while adapting to the evolving dynamics of the aviation industry
