Kenya Airways has unveiled a bold plan to invest up to Sh52 billion (approximately $400 million) in expanding and modernizing its fleet over the next five years.

The airline’s Group CEO, Allan Kilavuka, shared the details during the Annual General Meeting in Nairobi, revealing that the national carrier plans to increase its fleet size from the current 34 aircraft to 53 by 2029.

“Our current projections indicate that the entire fleet expansion and modernization initiative will cost between $300 million and $400 million,” Kilavuka said.

He noted that the investment is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency and maintain competitiveness in an increasingly dynamic aviation sector.

As part of the plan, the airline will not only acquire new aircraft but also revamp its existing fleet introducing upgrades such as in-flight Wi-Fi and refreshed interiors to elevate passenger experience.

Despite the ambition, Kilavuka highlighted a significant hurdle: a global shortage of aircraft that has disrupted supply chains.

“We had initially targeted six Boeing 767s for acquisition this year, but only one has been delivered. The rest are facing delays sometimes up to two or three years due to production backlogs,” he said.