Kenya Airways Recalls Leased Dreamliner Aircraft to be Used for Maiden US Nonstop Flights

Kenya Airways (KQ) continues to make preparations for the launch of the much anticipated direct flights to the United States.

In its latest move, the airline has recalled two Dreamliner planes that had been leased out to Oman Air two years ago, with one of them scheduled to be used for the inaugural nonstop flight to New York this October.

KQ said the the second Dreamliner will be returned next year to be deployed on a new route that will be announced in due course.

The two aircrafts, which are preferred for long-haul flights, were leased to Oman’s national airline in 2016 as Kenya Airways moved to reduce operating costs in the wake of sluggish revenue growth.

Dreamliners have high fuel capacities and burn 20 per cent less fuel than ordinary aircrafts, thus saving costs for airlines. They are, therefore, preferred for long distance routes. KQ owns a fleet of 38 planes, seven of which are Dreamliners.

“The planes were initially to be returned later this year but we reached the decision to recall one early. It arrives in September,” Kenya Airways chairman Micheal Joseph said.