Kenya Airways Willing To Nationalise

The Chairman of Kenya Airways Michael Joseph has stated that the airline will support government’s decision should it choose to nationalise the company. 

The airline is already 48.9 per cent state-owned and has been struggling with debt despite restricting efforts. In 2018 its pre-tax losses stood at $74.89 million.

The question of what to do with the ailing company has been the subject of intense political debate. While government has previously backed plans to hand over the management of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Kenya Airways, parliament has resisted the move.  

According to Joseph parliament’s transport committee is now considering alternative recommendations including nationalisation, which could see the airline operate through a state-owned holding company.

Despite the problems facing the airline, Kenya Airways continues to have ambitious growth plans with Joseph announcing intentions to double the fleet during the next five years in a move to help it compete with other regional airlines such as Ethiopian Airways, which currently has move than 100 planes as compared with Kenya Airway’s 41-strong fleet.