As part of the two-year agreement that Kenya Airways entered in early 2021 with Congo Airways, Kenya Airways is leasing two of its Embraer E190 aircraft to the latter for their cargo codeshare partnership.
Signed in April of 2021, the partnership “strengthens collaboration and bolsters aviation ties between Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo”, Kenya Airways said in a statement.
As a response to increasing cargo demand in the region, Kenya Airways added that “Kenya is seeking to leverage the Democratic Republic of Congo market by diversifying its export destinations, given the COVID-19-induced disruption, which has highlighted the need for deeper inter-regional trade.”
“KQ [Kenya Airways ꟷ ed. note] is a key player in the aviation space in Africa, and with over 40 years of experience, this is an important step in enhancing cooperation to increase air connectivity and offer greater passenger and cargo options between the two countries. The timing of this agreement is correct, considering the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry, as it will increase the utilisation of our aircraft,” Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways’ group managing director and chief executive said in a statement.
With the rising global demand for cargo transport, Kenya Airways has been focusing on this area, converting two of its 787 Dreamliners into full cargo earlier in 2021.