Kenya Airways converts two Boeing 787s into cargo planes

Faced with increasing global demand for cargo transportation and the need to meet that capacity, Kenya Airways and Avianor have reached an agreement to reuse Kenya Airways B787 Dreamliner aircraft for cargo operations.

After successfully receiving airworthiness approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), the Kenya Airways 787s are now the world's first cargo-converted Dreamliners.

Two Kenyan B787s - out of a fleet of nine - have undergone a complete cabin modification under Avianor's supervision and engineering certifications. The now certified cabs have the capacity to carry up to 16 tons of cargo each, allowing the 787 to carry out cargo operations with a full 46-ton payload capacity.

The airline's collaboration with Avianor to convert part of its fleet into pre-cargo aircraft responds to the growing demand for the transport of essential and medical products and the greater need to satisfy this capacity, especially within the international supply chains linked to the continent. African. Allan Kilavuka, Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways, referred to this event stating that “we are excited to be part of the first certified cargo conversion of its kind on the Boeing 787 aircraft. This demonstrates our agility, innovation and quick thinking, as well as increasing our carrying capacity to keep essential goods moving around the world. Kenya Airways will continue to play its role as a catalyst for economic growth on the continent, connecting the world to Africa, and Africa to the world, for both our cargo and passenger customer segments. '

With this increase in cargo capacity, derived from the collaboration with Avianor, a subsidiary of DRAKKAR Aerospace & Ground Transportation, Kenya Airways intends to support future business opportunities, thus incentivizing activity in local and regional economies.

The Director General of the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority, Gilbert Kibe, applauded Kenya Airways' bold initiative to innovate its operations to cater for increased cargo capacity to meet demand in these difficult times for the industry.

Kibe reiterates that, “As passenger numbers are at an all-time low, airlines have had to find alternative means of revenue to stay afloat. This project is economically important as it will maintain and create new jobs, as well as support Kenya Airways in its recovery efforts to diversify its revenues. Most importantly, with the upcoming vaccine distribution, Kenya Airways has been easily positioned to transport vaccines destined for Africa and other destinations, thus creating a considerable advantage for the airline and its safe operations.