Nairobi, Kenya – August 27, 2025

Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ), has posted a pretax loss of KSh 12.17 billion for the first half of 2025, marking a sharp reversal from a profit of KSh 634 million recorded in the same period last year.

The airline attributed the loss to a drop in passenger numbers and the grounding of several aircraft for maintenance, which significantly reduced operational capacity. Revenue for the six months fell to KSh 74.5 billion, compared to KSh 91.5 billion a year earlier.

“We are operating in a challenging environment,” said KQ Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka in a statement. “While demand remains strong, the availability of our fleet has constrained our ability to capitalize on market opportunities.”

Despite the setback, the airline announced plans to raise at least $500 million (approx. KSh 65 billion) by early 2026 to modernize and expand its fleet. The capital injection, pending shareholder approval, will focus on replacing older planes and restoring grounded aircraft to service.

The news comes as a blow to both local and diaspora travelers, many of whom rely heavily on the carrier for affordable connections between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Analysts warn the losses could translate into higher ticket prices and reduced flight frequencies in the short term.

Kenya Airways, which is 48.9% government-owned, has been struggling with debt and operational inefficiencies for over a decade. However, aviation experts note that the fundraising plan signals a renewed effort to restore the airline’s competitiveness on regional and international routes.