Kenya Airways has embarked on three projects aimed at advancing its sustainability in the face of years of loss-making that put its future in doubt. The projects will be implemented under Project Kifaru, the national airline’s strategic recovery plan. The initiatives include the Pyro-Diesel Plant, the expansion of the Water Bottling Plant, and the transformation of Msafiri House into a centralized operations hub.
The airline said the initiatives are designed to advance sustainability, paving the way for a more promising future. Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka said: “These three bold projects align with Project Kifaru, our strategic recovery plan, which prioritizes financial sustainability, customer focus, and environmental responsibility. They also demonstrate the airline’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, improving operational efficiency, and contributing to Africa’s prosperity through responsible corporate practices.”
He added the water bottling plant and the Pyro-Diesel plant are key components of Kenya Airways’ sustainability efforts and an innovative approach to cutting costs and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels while significantly lowering carbon emissions.
“The Water Bottling Plant, with a capacity to produce approximately 4,500 liters per day, reduces Kenya Airways’ reliance on external suppliers and significantly lowers water procurement costs while generating additional revenue through potential water sales. With a production capacity of 700 to 1,000 liters of diesel, the Pyro-Diesel Plant will make a tangible impact on our operational costs, reducing fuel expenses and decreasing the environmental footprint of our ground operations. This means that we are not just cutting costs for short-term gains; we are building a more resilient and sustainable future for Kenya Airways,” said Chief Operating Officer George Kamal.
KQ says the dual benefit underscores Kenya Airways’ commitment to sustainability and financial prudence. The plants are expected to create additional employment opportunities as they scale up operations, further supporting Kenya Airways’ commitment to sustainability and community development,” the airline said in a statement.
Msafiri House, near its headquarters, has been turned into a centralized Operations Control Center (OCC) for its flight crew, inflight management, and fleet management. “This strategic move will streamline operations, improve team collaboration, and reduce travel time between different departments, thereby enhancing work efficiency and employee satisfaction while delivering significant cost savings by reducing airport access, parking charges, and rent expenses. Furthermore, Msafiri House will alleviate congestion at Kenya Airways’ Approved Training Organization (ATO) by providing additional training facilities, which are expected to generate additional revenue through increased training capacity,” the airline said in a statement.
After years of loss-making running into billions of shillings, the national carrier announced an operating profit of Sh10.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to an operating loss of Sh5.6 billion in the prior year, representing a 287 per cent growth.
It attributed this to ongoing recovery and turnaround initiatives it has been undertaking in recent years. “These figures highlight the airline’s remarkable performance over the year and provide encouraging signs of continued recovery within the air transportation sector. They also confirm the operational viability of the airline business and demonstrate that the management’s ongoing efforts to restore profitability are yielding positive results,” Kenya Airways Chairman Michael Joseph told an investor briefing in March.
