Kenya Airways celebrates arrival of new Boeing 737-800 marking 20 years with DAE

Kenya Airways is celebrating the arrival of the flag carrier’s latest Boeing 737-800 after the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE)-leased jet touched down at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).  

The new Boeing 737-800 arrived in Nairobi on February 19, 2025, following a 45-minute flight from Mombasa Moi International Airport (MBA) and was welcomed with a traditional water salute in the sun. 

The latest aircraft arrival sees Kenya Airways fleet expand to 35 and forms part of the carrier’s plans to “increase capacity, enhance operational efficiency, and meet the growing demand for air travel across its network”. 

“The addition of this B737-800 marks a pivotal moment in our fleet expansion journey. It will increase our seat capacity and is a demonstration of our ability to adapt and grow in a challenging operating environment, even as the global aviation industry faces challenges in aircraft availability,” said Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO. 

Exciting News! We’re growing our fleet! Today, we welcome a Boeing 737-800, adding more capacity and flexibility to our network. This expansion is part of our continued commitment to providing you with seamless travel experiences across Africa and beyond.#KQNewWings… pic.twitter.com/qHG7fMDa6P— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) February 19, 2025 He added: “These efforts are part of Kenya Airways’ broader strategy to enhance its network, improve connectivity, and deliver exceptional service to its guests.”   

The aircraft joins Kenya Airways as part of a lease agreement with DAE and marks a “significant milestone in our 20-year partnership and reaffirms our long-standing relationship,” according to CEO Firoz Tarapore. 

“The addition of this Boeing 737-800 to Kenya Airways’ fleet will help meet the growing demand for regional travel and further expand their network. We congratulate the Kenya Airways team on their continued success and look forward to supporting this partnership for years to come,” said Tarapore. 

Kenya Airways paid tribute to staff who flew the Boeing 737-800 to Nairobi after departing Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) on February 16, 2025. 

Kenya Airways“Behind every successful flight is a dedicated crew working tirelessly to ensure safety, efficiency, and comfort. From our skilled pilots to our diligent ground operations and engineering teams, their expertise and commitment made the arrival of our new Boeing 737-800 seamless A huge thank you to the incredible KQ team for making this milestone possible,” the airline wrote in a social media post. 

The 12-year-old Boeing 737-800, registered 5Y-CYF, was previously operated by South American airline GOL and REX until December 2023, according to planespotters.net. 

As part of its existing fleet, Kenya Airways currently already operates seven Boeing 737-800s and six 787-8 Dreamliners, according to ch-aviation. 

RELATED

Kenya Airways hauls retired Boeing 737 through Nairobi to new school home

The post Kenya Airways celebrates arrival of new Boeing 737-800 marking 20 years with DAE appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source