The national carrier, Kenya Airways, has warned that its 2025 earnings will drop by at least 25% after engine shortages left three Boeing 787 aircraft grounded, cutting capacity and pushing down passenger traffic in the first half.
- •The board said the alert follows a review of the airline’s full year forecast to December 2025.
- •The notice was issued under the Capital Markets regulations and informed investors that the weaker outlook is tied to lower traffic, reduced flying hours and delays in securing replacement engines and spare parts.
- •The airline also said the grounded 787s represent one third of its wide body fleet.
The first half numbers show the impact with total income dropping to KSh 74.50Bn from KSh 91.49Bn. Passenger numbers dropped 14% to 2.186M and revenue passenger kilometres falling 19% to 4,862M. Cabin factor slipped to 72.4% from 74.7% with cargo volumes also easing by 8%. Block hours dropped 10% to 72,040. Turnover fell 19% to KSh 74.5Bn from 91.5Bn in same period in 2024.
The airline said three Dreamliners remain parked while they wait for engines. Management had disclosed during the half-year media brief that new engines would cost KSh 5.2Bn and that an engine overhaul costing KSh 1.9Bn. Global supply chain delays have slowed deliveries and raised operating pressure across long haul routes. The statement explained that the combined engine issue, spare parts delays and tight aircraft availability have cut capacity and reduced passenger numbers.
Operating costs fell 10% in the half year to KSh 80.74Bn. The reduction did not offset the revenue slide. Operating loss stood at KSh 6.24Bn compared to a KSh 1.30Bn profit last year. Loss before tax reached KSh 12.17Bn. Net loss reached KSh 12.15Bn compared to a KSh 513M profit last year. Net margin stood at -16.3%. Cash from operations closed at KSh 8.94Bn from KSh 11.784Bn in 2024.
