National carrier Kenya Airways has received the 3rd aircraft in its expansion program. The aircraft is KQ’s 12th Embraer Ejet which is also the 900th Ejet ever produced.
“It is a real honor for Kenya Airways to be part of this highlight in Embraer’s history, by receiving the 900th E-Jet,” said Dr. Titus Naikuni, CEO of Kenya Airways. “The E190 is a versatile aircraft suited to our growth ambitions on the African continent. Given its mid-range capabilities, it ably supports our plans to fly new routes and increase frequencies on existing ones. It affords our passengers excellent cabin comfort while enhancing operating efficiency. This new acquisition brings the airline closer to our vision of flying to every capital in Africa in the next few years.”
Kenya Airways’ E190 aircraft are configured in a dual-class layout with 96 seats: 12 in business class and 84 in economy. They feature individual screens for every seat, with In Flight Entertainment on demand. This aircraft joins the Airline’s existing fleet of twelve Embraer aircraft, comprising a mixture of five E170s and seven E190s. Kenya Airways has seven more E190 aircraft on order with a delivery each month between now and February 2013. The aircraft will be operated from its Jomo Kenyatta International Airport hub in Nairobi.
The airline has also ordered three Boeing 777-300ER aircraft expected from October 2013 and nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to be delivered from 2014 partly financed using proceeds from the Rights Issue successfully concluded in June. Kenya Airways which is sending home employees in a cost cutting bid plans to double it fleet of 37 in two years.