Kenya Airways Inks Wet Lease Deal with Ethiopian Airlines to Boost Regional Flights

Kenya Airways has signed a wet lease agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to operate three Boeing 737-800 aircraft on regional routes to Juba, Entebbe, and Dar es Salaam. Effective May 2024, the deal addresses KQ’s fleet shortage while Ethiopian gains access to Nairobi’s hub. The aircraft come with crew, maintenance, and insurance, allowing immediate deployment. CEO Allan Kilavuka said the partnership improves connectivity and supports Kenya’s ambition to be East Africa’s aviation gateway. The arrangement is part of broader EAC air transport liberalization talks aimed at creating a single aviation market by 2027.