New plane to take KQ directly to Paris
The new Kenya Airways Boeing 777-300ER that was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the JKIA in Nairobi on November 4, 2013. Kenya Airways is to launch a direct flight to Paris, France once it receives its first Dreamliner next month. PHOTO/SALATON NJAU
What you need to know:
- KQ chief executive Titus Naikuni said in statement that the plane will replace the 767-300ER aircraft currently in use on long routes.
- Last year Kenya Airways took delivery of the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with a capacity of 400 passengers and carrying over 20 metric tonnes of cargo. The plane saw KQ launch a direct flight to Guangzhou, seeking to take advantage of the growing trade between Nairobi and China.
Kenya Airways is to launch a direct flight to Paris, France once it receives its first Dreamliner next month.
Delivery of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft comes as the national carrier is overhauling its flights for long-haul routes.
KQ chief executive Titus Naikuni said in statement that the plane will replace the 767-300ER aircraft currently in use on long routes.
“The Dreamliner can fly from Nairobi to Paris and Beijing non-stop and, therefore, brings superior operational cost performance while carrying more passengers and cargo to further distances,” he said.
KQ will also use the plan to increase direct flight connections to key destinations in Europe and Asia. Among other cities the airline is eyeing with direct flights are Beijing and Amsterdam, the national carrier said.
Last year Kenya Airways took delivery of the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with a capacity of 400 passengers and carrying over 20 metric tonnes of cargo. The plane saw KQ launch a direct flight to Guangzhou, seeking to take advantage of the growing trade between Nairobi and China.
Delay in delivering the Boeing 787-8 following technical hitches affecting production had slowed down the airline’s global expansion plans, which are still on the runway.
