National Carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has revealed that it lost over Ksh 9.6 Billion to bird strikes in 5 years, from 2019 to 2024, which has hugely impacted its profitability negatively.
According to KQ, the airline experienced its worst year in 2020, incurring losses of over KSh 6 billion due to bird strikes.
In 2024 alone, the airline has reported losses amounting to USD 3,646,405 (KSh 472,330,872) due to bird strikes.
The 2024 loss attributed to KQ's bird strikes, is nearly the same amount as the airline's profit for the first half of 2024, where the National Carrier reported a KSh 513 million profit.
In the year 2019, the Bird strikes, which aviation experts state can be lethal, cost Kenya Airways Ksh 417, 660, 566.
The loss increased in the following year, with KQ recording losses amounting to a whooping Ksh 6,006,148241 in 2020.
A bird strike is defined as a collision between a bird and an aircraft that is in flight or during a takeoff or landing roll. The damage can be severe with some reported incidences outside the country leading to deaths.
In 2021 Kenya Airways loss over bird strikes was Ksh 825,541,886 while 2023 the birds cost the National Carrier Ksh 1,168, 034,278.
According to aviation experts, after a bird strike, an aircraft is typically grounded for a week or even longer, depending on the extent of the damage.
If bird remains hit the blades in jet engines, the impact can break or snap multiple blades, causing extensive damage.
Kenya Airways (KQ) aims to generate Kes 322 million from the sale of duty-free products to passengers by the end of 2024.
“The airline offers a convenient shopping experience, enabling customers to shop from their seats during flights or within the terminal. This year we are targeting a total of 322 million from our duty free sales products that we offer to our customers on board. Our product's packaging is done based on the route of travel.” Kenya Airways In-flight Performance Manager Michael Ithau, said.
According to Michael, The duty-free service was introduced as part of KQ’s strategy to boost revenue. The Products include international and travel-exclusive brands, offering a selection of women’s and men’s fragrances, accessories, jewelry, beauty products, watches and smart gadgets.
He highlighted that 80 percent of the products sold on board to passengers en route to various destinations are sourced from Africa.
“80 percent of the sales come from Africa particularly from our customers traveling to Johannesburg in South Africa ,Kigali Rwanda,Lagos Nigeria, Acra Ghana and free town,” Michael added.
KQ hit 203 million from it's duty-free sales products, surpassing its target of 167 million duty-free sales in 2023.
