Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways was created on January 22, 1977, just after East African Airways collapsed. That carrier was shared by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The young nation wanted to keep its air links. Flying began with leased Boeing 707s from Nairobi to Frankfurt and London. In 1996 it became the first African flag carrier sold successfully to private investors. A flag carrier is the airline that represents a country abroad.

KLM took a 26 percent stake, and the shares were listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The deal tied Nairobi into Amsterdam's worldwide network, and airlines across Africa studied it as a model. Known as 'The Pride of Africa,' Kenya Airways joined SkyTeam in 2007, one of the first African members of that group. Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta airport grew into East Africa's main connecting point between Africa, Europe, and Asia.

The airline flew the Boeing 787 early for Africa, taking its first in 2014. In 2018 it launched nonstop flights from Nairobi to New York. That was the first ever direct link between East Africa and the United States. Money troubles and rescue plans with the Kenyan government keep returning. Even so, Kenya Airways still hauls the country's flowers, tea, and produce, and remains a pillar of African aviation.

Kenya Airways runs a small fleet of about 40 aircraft. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner handles the long routes to Europe, Asia, and New York. Boeing 737-800s cover Africa and the Middle East, while Embraer 190s work quieter regional routes out of Nairobi.

The cargo arm flies rebuilt 737 freighters loaded with Kenyan flowers and produce. Weak finances have slowed the purchase of newer planes. Under its turnaround plan, the airline hopes to add aircraft again toward the end of the decade as the rebuilding continues.