Kenya Airways says it plans to remain profitable in 2009 despite the global economic crisis.  Chairman of the airline, Mr. Evanson Mwaniki, says its Directors expect profitability even though it would be at a lower level compared to 2008. Kenya Airways has of late introduced measures aimed at growing its intra-Africa traffic and expanding its routes and fleet. It says Congo Brazzaville will soon be added to its 30 destinations in Africa, a move which Mr. Richard Nuttall, Kenya Airways’ Commercial Director, says will encourage more Africans “to travel within Africa for business and for pleasure.”

The airline says it will also rely on its recently expanded fleet to meet the growing needs of intra-African traffic. Between the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, KQ took delivery of three brand new Boeing 737-800s, bringing the total number of such aircraft in its fleet to five. The fifth Boeing 737-800 that was received by the airline in February 2009 made its maiden commercial flight to Accra.

End