By Abdi Ali
Published February 13, 2021
Kenya Airways, the debt-ridden airline that is unlikely to operate without Government intervention, has converted two Boeing 787 passenger planes into cargo carriers.
“We were delighted this morning to make aerospace history with a first time ever cabin cargo repurposing of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner into a ‘Preighter’ (passenger aircraft used as a freighter),” Kenya Airways, that is popularly known by its KQ airline code, announced in a LinkedIn post on February 10, 2021. “The project is a collaboration between Kenya Airways and Avianor Inc, a worldwide breakthrough of this type to be performed on the Boeing 787 demonstrating our role as trailblazers in the aero industry.”
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“This conversion,” said the airline that hopes to be bailed out of financial doldrums by the Kenyan taxpayer, “will address the growing demand for increased cargo capacity & the demand for essential & medical goods while supporting future commercial opportunities thereby contributing to the stimulation of the local and regional economies. The repurposed cabin has been certified to carry up to 16 tonnes of cargo in the cabin, potentially enabling the aircraft to reach its maximum payload while in cargo operation of 46 tonnes.”
John Auma who describes himself as an International Public Procurement Expert on LinkedIn says Kenya Airways (KQ) is doing what Ethiopian Air Lines (ET) “did immediately when COVID struck” a year later, another LinkedIn user called Omasso So IMBAYI, says KQ’s move is no innovation: “I have a feeling as the airspace continues to open and the bottom bellies of passenger flights start to get back their usual cargo…this ‘innovation’ will just prove to be what it is; not an innovation’.”
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But Samson Selembu, who describes himself as a Finance professional in Airline Industry, disagrees with Omasso So IMBAYI: “Airlines have dedicated cargo freighters and I can inform you is what kept them afloat during this pandemic…opportunities are there, how KQ intends to use it is what really matters.”
This comes at a time when many African airlines are struggling for survival due to restrictions on travel ocassioned by the Coronaviruas (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Despite its its focus on cargo transport and the repatriation of Africans stranded in many countries during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Ethiopian Air Lines (ET), like many other airlines, has made massive losses.
Royal Air Maroc is laying off workers and selling off aircraft in an attempt to reduce operation costs.
South African Airways, that has over the years relied on financial bailout by Government, is in a worse situation.
The Government of Kenya is in the process of nationalising Kenya Airways if only to keep it alive.
Through the National Aviation Management Bill 2020 that is before Parliament, the Government of Kenya proposes to make the loss-making airline a subsidiary in an Aviation Holding Company. The other subsidiaries shall be Kenya Airports Authority and Aviation Investment Corporation.
COVID-19 hit the world at a time Tanzania and Uganda were reviving their national airlines. While little is heard about the progress Air Tanzania is making, Two new A330-800neo aircraft by Uganda Airlines have been delivered, the latest Airbus aircraft being delivered on February 2, 2021.
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The delivery, according to eTurboNews (ETN), completes the first phase of the build-up of the airline since its revival on August 28, 2019, with four Bombardier CRJ900 and two A330-800neo bringing the total to six.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) says Africa ‘should experience a late recovery of its financial performance’ in 2023.