Douglas Mwiti 
- Kenya Airways to return to service B787s,add narrowbodies:
Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced that the flag carrier will boost its capacity with the phased return to service of three grounded B787-8s between between July 22 and December 19 plus the addition of three narrowbodies by the fourth quarter of 2025.
“This is a significant milestone for our fleet and operations.
The return of the Dreamliners will not only alleviate the capacity constraints that had shrunk by 20% due to the grounding but also enhance our capacity back to 85%,” he said in a statement on July 14.
The aircraft in question are 5Y-KZC (msn 36040), 5Y-KZH (msn 36045), and 5Y-KZA (msn 35510), according to ch-aviation data.
The three B787s have been grounded since late 2024 due to supply chain constraints and engine unavailability, resulting in restrained capacity evident in flight delays, cancellations, and schedule changes.
Kilavuka added:”Plans are underway to increase our seat capacity with the addition of three narrow body aircraft,which will increase our seat capacity by offering an additional 528 seats and belly capacity increase by 239% by quarter four of 2025.”
Asked for clarification, a spokesman declined to provide more details for now.
Last month, chief operating officer George Kamal told ch-aviation that Kenya Airways was moving from consolidation to a fleet growth phase focused on B737-8 MAX and B737-800NG narrowbodies and a combination of B777 and B787 widebody variants to increase its fleet from 37 to 60 aircraft within five years.
For its narrow body fleet, he said Kenya Airways was in discussions to lease six B737-8s.
He said the airline had also secured two more B737-800s for delivery in the second and third quarter of 2026 and was finalising the lease of three narrowbodies for the fourth quarter this year.
Kenya Airways’ current fleet comprises nine B787-8s (including the three AOGs), nine B737-800s (one inactive),and four narrow body freighters (two B737-300(SF) and two B737-800(SF)).
Of fifteen E190s, six have already been removed as the airline phases out the type.
