KQ cancels Abu Dhabi flights in new routes plan changes

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has cancelled flights to Abu Dhabi in a route re-organisation plan that will also see it introduce direct flights to Paris.

KQ is expecting delivery of six Dreamliner planes and one Boeing 777 this year to boost its expansion plans especially into emerging Asian economies.

A disclosure by Kenyan Airways shows it withdrew its three-weekly flights to the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) two weeks ago, citing “operational reasons.”

KQ had introduced flights on the route in May last year, competing with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways with which it has a code-sharing agreement.
Affected passengers were to be re-booked on Etihad or refunded, according to a notice sent out to travel agents.

The withdrawal is part of KQ’s plan of increasing frequencies and capacity on high-demand routes and reducing on poor performing ones. The carrier expects its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner on April 4 and its second Boeing 777-300 ER in May.

“The delivery of these exciting aircraft opens a new chapter for the airline,” said KQ’s managing director Titus Naikuni.

The new aircraft will be deployed to Europe and Asia. The Dreamliner model had battery glitches last year and suffered a number of other technical setbacks, raising fears that Boeing would not deliver the first of nine Dreamliners orders on time.

“Long-haul routes to Paris, Amsterdam and Beijing are among the destinations earmarked for direct flights, as we continue exploring new markets that will be instrumental in helping us achieve our objective, to contribute towards the sustainable development of Africa,” he said.

The Dreamliner uses 20 per cent less fuel. Fuel costs account for about 40 per cent of KQ’s direct operating costs impacting its performance.

Last year the firm posted a loss of Sh7.86 billion compared to a profit of Sh1.66 billion in 2012.