KENYA AIRWAYS OPERATING PERFORMANCE; 1
st
QTR – APRIL to JUNE 2011
Kenya Airways releases its operating results for the first quarter ended 30
th
Jun 2011.
The company put into the market place capacity totalling 3,386m seat kilometres which was 20.3%
better than last year’s level as a result of incremental destinations launched in the second half of 2010
to Rome(Italy), Luanda(Angola), Nampula(Mozambique), Malindi(Kenya), N’Djamena(Chad) and direct
flights to Malabo(Equatorial Guinea) and Nsimalen(Cameroun).
Capacity offered into Europe grew by 26.3% owing to the introduction of Rome and increased
frequencies to London (20.0%) and Amsterdam (12.3%) compared to the same quarter in prior year.
The Middle East, Far East and Asia regions registered a capacity growth of 22.3% as a result of
increased frequencies to Dubai via Muscat.
The Northern Africa region grew by 6.4% in capacity owing to the introduction of daily flights into Juba
in Southern Sudan on the Embraer aircraft. Capacity availed into the East African region grew by 7.5%
compared to last year due to increased utilisation of the Embraer fleet on short haul sectors especially
Kigali flights via Bujumbura.
The highest seat kilometre increase was registered in West Africa region. The 27.2% growth was due
to use of the larger B767 into Lagos and Freetown via Accra. Capacity offered in the Central Africa
region grew by 13.2% mainly from increased frequencies to Bangui and Libreville via Douala and
Kisangani route connecting through Entebbe. Capacity in Southern Africa grew by 6.8% due to
introduction of Nampula, increased frequencies to Harare via Lusaka and Lubumbashi via Ndola.
In the Domestic front, capacity grew by 62.5% compared to same period prior year largely due to
additional frequencies on Mombasa route named Mombasa Shuttle due to the average 10 daily
frequencies and the introduction of Malindi flights. Kisumu steadily grew by 95.8% after the reopening
of Kisumu airport that had been closed for runway upgrade and renovation.
Uptake of total production at 2,308m revenue passenger kilometres represents a 22.0% growth
compared to last year while the total passenger tally, which closed on 850,908 increased by 27.6%.
The growth underpins increased long haul customer travel to Europe, Middle East and Far East
Regions. The resulting average cabin factor at 68.1% was marginally above prior year’s 67.2%.
Cargo tonnage at 15,286 increased by 19.8% compared to last year’s level emphasizing the improved
business atmosphere.
Passenger uplift to Europe at 108,835 indicates a 16.9% year on year growth on the back of improved
capacity base resulting to 65.2% occupancy level which was however, 5.8 points lower to same period
prior year.
In the Middle East, Far East and Asia regions passenger traffic increased by 30.8% against a capacity
growth of 22.3%. The realised cabin factor of 78.3% was 4.7 points better than prior year’s 73.6%.
Within Africa but excluding Kenya, total enplanements totalled 432,366 being a 18.1% growth
compared to 13.3% capacity growth resulting to passenger load factor of 64.1%. This was 3.2 points
better than same period prior year.
Passengers uplifted within Kenya at 184,845 were 65.0% above prior year’s level of 112,020. The
resulting cabin factor of 71.9% remained largely flat compared to 71.7% achieved last year.
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