Kenya Airways to Acquire 10 Boeing 737-800 MAX Jets despite Safety Concerns

Kenya Airways to Acquire 10 Boeing 737-800 MAX Jets despite Safety Concerns

National airline Kenya Airways (KQ) says it will not cancel the planned acquisition of Boeing 737-800 MAX jets.

Several countries including the US, UK, and China have grounded the aircraft following two fatal crashes involving the brand in less than six months.

KQ chairman Michael Joseph says the carrier will go ahead to acquire 10 of the planes for Sh120 billion ($1.2 billion).

“The only option that we have planned for is the Boeing 737-800 Max because this will make it easier for us to conduct training and maintenance of the aircraft,” Joseph says as quoted by the Business Daily.

“We hope that between now and the time when we are ready to acquire the new fleet, Boeing will have solved the current problem."

On Friday, Indonesian airline Garuda Indonesia announced the cancellation of its Sh600 billion ($6 billion) order for 49 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets.

The airline cited a loss of passenger trust following the two crashes involving 
Boeing 737-800 MAX jets belonging to Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air.

It became the first airline across the globe to cancel orders for the troubled jet.

This month, all the 157 people aboard the Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines plane perished after it crashed six minutes after taking off from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa.

The crash came five months after another accident involving the same type of plane belonging to Lion Air killed all the 189 people on board.

36 of those killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash were Kenyans. Initial investigations point out similarities in the circumstances surrounding the two crashes.
KQ does not operate any Boeing 737-800 Max at the moment, with Ethiopian Airlines being the only African carrier that owns this type of aircraft.

Comments

Mugikuyu (not verified)     Mon, 03/25/2019 @ 12:23pm

Why am I not surprised? Kenya does not care about the lives of its own. I am not flying KQ. Reminds me when Trump called African countries shit-holes and Uhuru was first in the white house with tail between his legs trying to sound intelligent. Now US has cancelled aid by half. Kulamba lamba someones behind does not get you what you want. This colonial mentality is sickening and Uhuru is an agent of it and it affects a huge part of the population of white skin worshipping.

formerlyguest2 (not verified)     Mon, 03/25/2019 @ 02:07pm

In reply to by Mugikuyu (not verified)

Kulamba lamba someones behind does not get you what you want - HA ha ha :-).
I avoid Kenya Airways and their sub standard services. KLM damu, its a shame.

Frank (not verified)     Mon, 03/25/2019 @ 02:18pm

Dare buy and see, if you don't care about lives of Kenyans then we will show you, you won't even have passengers in domestic flights,dont joke with people's lives,go away.

mkenya halisi (not verified)     Mon, 03/25/2019 @ 05:02pm

Hehehehe i promise u guys that all this guys who have canceled to buy this planes will buy them n mark my words?The plane issue will b checked n b fixed n we will b here on mwakilishi n i will remind u guys i wrote so???How many times did Ford recalled its cars while i was in usa???Many times n this didn't stop pple from buying them juu u will b told to take yr car to mechanic/ford to b fixed???How many have Japanese recalled certain models mainly with airbags problems or land rover/range rover??So this issue of recalling planes is not a new thing???The plane will b back in the market very soon n mark my words???And always keep in mind whether u fly with peacock,hot air balloons,inside the eagle 🦅 stomach,klm,emirates,qatar avoiding KQ remember kama siku yako imefika u gat to go straight to heaven or hell where u believe in so msiwe na uowoga my guys.

Mbwana (not verified)     Mon, 03/25/2019 @ 06:13pm

No wonders most Kenya prefers flying Ethiopia Airlines than its own native country Airline even after the direct flight to US.
This is due to service mistreatment as people treatment is usually second after profit. Furthermore, the purchases of ill-fated planes will hammers 6 inch nails to the coffin of KQ

One2ManyDayz (not verified)     Mon, 03/25/2019 @ 08:09pm

KQ, When everybody is running from trouble, you match towards trouble. When everyone is making profits you are asking for bailouts. You are always in the wrong place the right time. Your arrogance knows no bounds having been spoiled of taxpayers money.

MsemaKweli (not verified)     Mon, 03/25/2019 @ 10:08pm

This Airline is a Joke. I have nothing against those planes and I am sure Boeing will one day fix the problem but KQ seems hellbent on destroying itself and whatever little credibility it has left. Once customer confidence is eroded you cannot buy it back.

Anyways I see this airline being privatised very soon so pigeni kelele hapo mkichola mtalala

John (not verified)     Mon, 03/25/2019 @ 10:38pm

Be smart Mr. Chairman and put people safety first. Why take any chances on these killer Jets so that you guys can pocket big checks and bonuses and put public life's in jeopardy.

dick moses (not verified)     Tue, 03/26/2019 @ 10:22am

This is a FORCED SELL, me thinks somebody must have eaten "chicken" over there and now they can't pay back hence they must swallow the poison pill. GO FIGURE.

Andrew (not verified)     Wed, 03/27/2019 @ 10:16am

Kenya is a dumping ground for anything negative! faulty planes,expired & poisonous foods,dead men's clothes,rapists, murderers,corrupt leaders e.t.c! Name it & guarantee you'll get it in this country!

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