Kenya Airways sees flight demand jump due to Iran war
Kenya Airways reports load factors near 100 percent as conflict disrupts Middle East routes. Gains are driven by demand from Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
Kenya's national airline has reported a significant surge in passenger demand as a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran have disrupted global aviation, prompting travelers to shift their patterns and leading to a spike in bookings for the carrier. George Kamal, the acting CEO of Kenya Airways, informed reporters that the airline's load factor has jumped to nearly 100%, a substantial increase from the 70% levels recorded in January. This growth has been particularly strong on routes connecting Europe, Asia, and North America to the region. > "We reached up to 90% total, 90, 99, and so the most we see the gains are coming from Europe, from the U.S. and Asia." The broader aviation industry has been forced to adapt to the conflict, with many airlines raising fares, altering flight paths to avoid Middle Eastern stops, or canceling services entirely. Kamal noted that these specific routes are currently providing a major boost to the airline's operational performance. > "Those routes are contributing positively, very positively, to our network now." To ensure continued operations during this period of high demand, the airline is managing its fuel supplies closely. Paul Njoroge, the head of flight operations, stated that the company currently holds a 56-day supply of jet fuel and is actively working to secure additional shipments from India.
