Kenya Airways : KQ : KQA

* Discussing purchase of 6-9 Airbus A330-200s-officials

* Cites Dreamliner delays, still in talks with Boeing

* Kenya Airways seeking to modernise its fleet

NAIROBI, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Kenya Airways is in talks with Airbus about buying several A330-200 planes after delays to Boeing's much-anticipated B787 Dreamliner jet, senior officials at the airline said on Tuesday.

The carrier's Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni said on Friday the company was in talks with Airbus and that between six and nine aircraft were under consideration.

An official at Kenya Airways told Reuters the carrier, which is majority-owned by AirFrance-KLM and the Kenyan
government, had started talks because some leases on its planes were about to expire, and that it was eyeing the A330-200.

A second official at the carrier confirmed the plans.http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKLT14698720090929

Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Dr Titus Naikuni said Tuesday that the airline was the
first in Africa to achieve the feat which put it at par with major global airlines.

As a full SkyTeam member Kenya Airways will now offer its customers an access to a more comprehensive
network of routes and destinations, more frequencies and more connectivity.

"These are approximately 13,000 daily flights to 898 destinations in 169 countries, which is a significant increase from 6,402 daily flights to 451 destinations in 98 countries at the inception of the global airline alliance ten years ago," Naikuni said.

Passengers also earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network.

"As deregulation and Open Skies agreements open opportunities for more effective business alignment, SkyTeam has emerged as a compelling proposition to enable airlines offer customers more connections across the globe," Naikuni said.

Naikuni says Kenya Airways would deepen its co-operation with the other SkyTeam members to ensure growth and sustainability for the future.

"We see more value for our customers as they will enjoy seamless services across many more destinations, "he noted.

Since its inception in 2000 by Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air, SkyTeam has grown to 13 members, including the recent addition of Vietnam Airlines and TAROM which is expected to join the alliance on Wednesday. Air Europa was also upgraded to full SkyTeam member status.

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] plans to introduce [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] E-190s to its fleet to support further growth of its fast-expanding
African network.The SkyTeam carrier has been an E-Jet operator since 2007, when it took the first of three E-170s on lease from GECAS.

Earlier this month it took delivery of two more E-170s, which are being leased from [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], giving it a fleet of five E-170s.

Kenya Airways COO Bram Steller reveals the carrier is interested in adding larger E-190s and is currently negotiating long-term leases on two E-190s for delivery later this year.

Steller says Kenya Airways may also acquire additional [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] 737s this year but it is currently not negotiating any deals for the type.

"We are still looking," he says.According to Flightglobal's ACAS database, Kenya Airways now operates a fleet of four 737-300s, four -700s and five -800s.

Kenya Airways releases its operating results for the first quarter ended 30th Jun 2010.

The company put into the market place capacity totalling 2,814m seat kilometres which was at par with last year’s level notwithstanding the incremental destinations launched in the second half of 2009.

This follows the reduction of B777 operations in the current year because of scheduled maintenance plans which necessitated increased utilisation of smaller B767s into Thailand, China and Hong Kong.

Capacity offered into Europe remained unchanged compared to the same quarter of prior year.

The Middle East, Far East and Asia regions registered a capacity decline of 8% despite the introduction of Muscat flights via Dubai flights largely due to the reduced B777 operations as already mentioned.

The Northern Africa region grew by 5% in capacity owing to the introduction of daily flights into Juba in Southern Sudan on the Embraer aircraft.

Capacity availed into the East African region shrunk by 7% compared to last year because of increased utilisation of the Embraer on short haul sectors, and better synchronization of KQ schedules with that of Precision Air on both Tanzanian and Zanzibar connections.

The highest seat kilometre increase was registered in Southern Africa region.

A 22% growth was due to additional frequencies into Johannesburg during the World Cup season together with the additions of N’Dola and Gaborone into the network.

Capacity offered in the Central Africa region grew by 6% mainly from the successful launches of Malabo and Bangui via Douala and Kisangani connecting through Entebbe.

The capacity into West Africa contracted by 9% driven by the freeing up of B767s from Lagos and Accra in order to operate long haul routes previously served by the B777s.

In the Domestic front, capacity remained largely flat compared to prior year because the additional frequencies offered to Mombasa were operated by the smaller Embraer aircraft.

Uptake of total production at 1,892m revenue passenger kilometres represents a 9% growth compared to last year while the total passenger tally, which closed on 666,658 increased by 4%.

The growth underpins increased long haul customer travel made possible by better economic environment.

The resulting average cabin factor improved from last year’s level of 61.6% to 67.2%.

Cargo tonnage at 12,762 increased by 14% compared to last year’s level emphasizing the improved business atmosphere.

Passenger uplift to Europe at 93,073 indicates a 16% year on year growth on the back of a stagnant capacity base resulting to 71.0% occupancy level which is 9.6 points higher.

In the Middle East, Far East and Asia regions passenger traffic increased by 13% against a capacity shortfall of 8%.

The realised cabin factor of 73.6% was 10.9 points better than prior year’s 62.7%.

Within Africa but excluding Kenya, total enplanements totalled 366,225 being a modest 3% growth compared to a similar capacity growth, thus the resultant passenger load factor of 60.9% remained flat on prior year’s level.

Passengers uplifted within Kenya at 112,020 were 6% below prior year’s level.

The resulting cabin factor of 71.7% was lower than 75.5% achieved last year.

Kenya Airways Group MD and CEO Titus Naikuni said the carrier is considering canceling the nine 787s it has on order, and claimed Boeing has informed him that the Dreamliner's first delivery to ANA will be delayed another three months.

The manufacturer continues to target the 2010 fourth quarter for the first 787 delivery but has warned several times that first deliveries could slip into 2011 ([Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]). Boeing did not respond yesterday to a request for comment.

Speaking to ATW at KQ's Nairobi headquarters, Naikuni said he is already in discussions with Airbus regarding ordering A330s as a replacement for the 787s."Yes, I would dare canceling the [787] order," he said. "If [Boeing] can't deliver, we will cancel. We will take a decision [on whether to] go with Airbus or stay with Boeing before the end of the year."

He added that he spoke to Boeing representatives "this morning and they informed me there is a further three-month delay in the first deliveries." He pointed out that a delay in first deliveries "would not [necessarily] affect our first deliveries, which are scheduled for around 2013." But he acknowledged that KQ "can only confirm" its delivery schedule "after the first delivery" to ANA takes place.

KQ's initial order for six 787s plus six options was placed in March 2006 with deliveries of its first two scheduled for September 2010. The airline later converted three of its six options to firm orders. The 787s are part of the carrier's fleet modernization and expansion plan, and are slated to replace its aging 767s. While KQ has some flexibility in retaining its 767s, their interiors and IFE would need to be upgraded at a major cost if they remain in the fleet for an extended period, the CEO said.

Naikuni noted Boeing has not offered compensation for the delayed 787 deliveries nor offered to participate in 767 retrofits, "which is very disappointing."

If KQ were to order A330s, it would mark its first ever Airbus purchase. It currently operates 29 aircraft including four 777-200ERs, six 767-300ERs, 14 737s and five E-170LRs. "We are mainly a Boeing operator, but it is doable to switch to Airbus," he said.

The carrier's expansion plans are ambitious and COO Bram Stellar said KQ will need additional aircraft even if the 787s are delivered in a reasonable timeframe.
"The plan is to launch a new destination each month for the next three years," he told ATW. "We want to fly to each capital in Africa, add more destinations in Europe [and] Asia and commence operations to Latin America." Sao Paulo is earmarked as its first Latin American destination and Kuala Lumpur is a possible addition in Asia. KQ launched several new destinations this year, including Muscat in June, Juba in July and Luanda this month, lifting its network to 50 points.
Next month it will launch services to Maputo, followed by N'Djamena in October, Jeddah and Malinde in November and Rome Fiumicino in December.
FCO will become its fourth destination in Europe. It also has secured two additional slots at London Heathrow, which will allow it to increase Nairobi-LHR frequencies to nine per week for its coming winter schedule.

VictorK a écrit:Une annulation de tout ou partie des 787 est possible.

Des Boeing 767 neufs ou d'occasion sont probables. A la charge de Boeing, il faut voir.

Mais ce programme 787 voit les nuages s'accumuler
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Kenya Airways n’a pas renoncé au Dreamliner.

La compagnie kenyane a annoncé le 14 avril qu’elle avait confirmé la commande qu’elle avait passée en 2006 auprès de Boeing pour neuf 787-8. Elle était assortie d’options sur quatre appareils supplémentaires.

Le 787 est destiné à remplacer les cinq 767-300ER de Kenya Airways, qui sont pour la plupart en service depuis 2000/2001 (sauf un qui est opérationnel depuis 1989). Il permettra également d’ouvrir de nouvelles routes long-courriers.

Kenya Airways prévoit d’étendre ses fréquences et son réseau : elle souhaite à terme être présente dans toutes les capitales d’Afrique.

Le premier 787 devrait être livré au quatrième trimestre 2013 (au lieu d’octobre 2010 comme initialement prévu).

Kenya Airways settles Boeing 787 claims

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Kenya Airways and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] have settled on compensation for delays in the nine [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] the airline has on order, the airline announced Thursday.
Kenya Airways signed a purchase agreement in 2006 for nine Boeing 787-8 aircraft, with an option for four more. Boeing has since delayed expected delivery of the first of these 787s from October 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2013.
In announcing the deal Thursday, the airline said it re-affirmed its intention to exercise the option for four more 787s after delivery of the first nine. The jets will replace aging Boeing 767s and allow new long-range routes.
“The 787 Dreamliner fits well with our expansion strategy,” Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni said in a statement, adding that the plane will allow the airline to better connect Africa with the rest of the world and increase its network and frequency across his continent.
“We can only achieve our expansion strategy with the right equipment and we are particularly pleased with Boeing, that despite the delay experienced in the 787 program they have committed to the timelines that we have now signed on,” Naikuni said.

Kenya Airways to Double Fleet Within Four Years, CEO Says

Kenya Airways Ltd., sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest airline, plans to double the size of its fleet to 60 planes in the next four years while training more pilots to fly them, Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni said.

The airline, which currently employs 390 pilots, has bought facilities that will allow it to train another 100 pilots by the end of this year, he told reporters in Nairobi today.

“If I can get 200 pilots, I will take all of them, there is a shortage,” Naikuni said. Kenya Airways employed 180 pilots in 2007, he said.

The airline, based in Nairobi, is expanding its fleet as it starts flying to new destinations. This year, Kenya Airways will begin flights to seven new destinations including the capitals of Nigeria, Chad, Togo and Burkina Faso, as well as Mauritius and the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.

Kenya Airways on April 14 said it agreed to buy nine Boeing Corp. 787 aircraft in an accord that includes an option for another four plans. The latest 787s will be delivered in October 2013, Kenya Airways said at the time.

E-Series Hits 1,000 Order Milestone at Paris Today

Congratulations to Embraer, whose E-Jet series hit the 1,000 order milestone today at the Paris Air Show with a four new orders for the E-190. Kenya Airways ordered 10 E-190s, Air Lease Corporation ordered 5 E-190s, GECAS ordered 2 E-190s, and Air Astana 2 E-190s, for a total of 19 new orders. Embraer now has 60 airline customers in 40 countries worldwide for its E-Jet series.
The E-Jet family hit the 1,000 order plateau in less than seven years since EIS, making it the best selling aircraft in the 70-100 seat category.

Jeannot a écrit:Le E-Series a franchi la barre des 1.000 commandes au Bourget Today

E-Series Hits 1,000 Order Milestone at Paris Today

Congratulations to Embraer, whose E-Jet series hit the 1,000 order milestone today at the Paris Air Show with a four new orders for the E-190. Kenya Airways ordered 10 E-190s, Air Lease Corporation ordered 5 E-190s, GECAS ordered 2 E-190s, and Air Astana 2 E-190s, for a total of 19 new orders. Embraer now has 60 airline customers in 40 countries worldwide for its E-Jet series.
The E-Jet family hit the 1,000 order plateau in less than seven years since EIS, making it the best selling aircraft in the 70-100 seat category.

Je n'avais pas vu la commande de SUH pour 5 E190s ni celle de Kenya Airways pour 10 E190s. Rendons donc à César...

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Kenya Airways finalizes order for 10 E-190s

Kenya Airways (KQ) finalized an order with Embraer for 10 E-190s, plus purchase rights for a further 16 E-jets, as part of its long-term expansion plan to fly to all African capital cities by the end of 2013. The order follows a letter of intent signed at the Paris Air Show in June . Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2012.

“The Embraer 190 fleet will be key in ensuring Kenya Airways becomes the leading carrier on the continent, interlinking African cities and— through our Nairobi hub—connecting Africa to the world,” KQ Group MD and CEO Titus Naikuni said. “The Embraer 190’s excellent range, efficiency, size and superior level comfort will allow us to increase frequencies and start new routes, along with improving the overall passenger flying experience throughout Africa.”

The E-190s will be configured in a dual-class layout with 96 seats, comprising 12 in business class and 84 in economy. All seats will be IFE-equipped with individual touch screens.

The finalized E-190 order is in addition to KQ’s LOI with GECAS for the lease of two new Boeing 777-300ERs, expected to be delivered at the end of 2012-early 2013 if the contract is firmed, Naikuni said.

The Nairobi-based airline has also concluded an agreement for a 747-400F expected to arrive next month. KQ additionally has nine Boeing 787s on firm order plus four options. Its Dreamliner deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The carrier currently operates five E-170s and two E-190s, with a further three E-190s (under an existing deal) to be delivered by early 2012.

Kenya Airways loue deux Boeing 777-300ER

La compagnie aérienne Kenya Airways va renforcer sa flotte long-courrier, en louant à GECAS deux Boeing 777-300ER.

Avec une date de livraison prévue entre octobre 2013 et avril 2014, les deux biréacteurs du constructeur américain viendront renforcer le réseau de la compagnie nationale kényane, en particulier vers l’Europe et l’Extrême Orient (Amsterdam, Bangkok, Dubaï et Guangzhou). Comme pour le reste de la flotte, les deux appareils seront configurés en deux classes, affaires et économie, mais la disposition n’a pas été détaillée.

Kenya Airways opère déjà sur ses lignes long-courrier quatre Boeing 777-200ER (28 sièges-lits en affaires, 284 en économie) et six 767-300ER dont trois loués auprès de GECAS, sur une flotte de 32 avions – en attendant la livraison de neuf 787 Dreamliner. La location d’appareils plus gros permettra à la compagnie de l’alliance SkyTeam de mieux répondre au développement de sa grande rivale d’Afrique de l’Est, Ethiopian Airlines, qui rejoindra bientôt Star Alliance.

Kenya Airways poursuit ainsi son projet de doubler la taille de sa flotte en cinq ans, et de desservir toutes les capitales africaines à partir de l’aéroport de Nairobi d’ici dix ans.