Days after Kenya Airways issued a warning about potential flight disruptions during the festive season due to issues in the global aircraft spare parts supply chain, the airline has yet to provide specific details about the disruptions.
Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka has voiced his apprehension regarding a dearth of aircraft components resulting in an extended grounding of certain planes. In an announcement on December 8, 2023, Kilavuka mentioned that the capacity shortage could endure for roughly two weeks.
Nonetheless, despite the advisory, Kenya Airways has yet to communicate to passengers the specific flights that will be affected and whether the disturbances will impact both domestic and international routes.
The head of corporate communications at KQ Henry Okatch has chosen not to respond to the extent of disruptions, despite being inquired about it. Okatch has further neglected to address the concerns of passengers who have already made travel bookings or provide any information regarding how they can find out more about their cancelled flights.
Passengers are advised to remain informed about their flight status through multiple channels, such as the airline’s website, Customer Excellence Centre, or mobile app.
Recent data reveals that Kenya Airways’ fleet comprises two B737-300(SF)s, eight B737-800s, nine B787-8s, and thirteen E190ARs. One of these planes, the E190 5Y-KYS (msn 19000478), has been out of service in Nairobi since late October.
With a fleet of approximately 32 aircraft, Kenya Airways operates 140 daily flights, serving 44 destinations and around 60 routes.
Earlier this year, Kenya Airways encountered a comparable obstacle when it experienced the prolonged grounding of several planes in light of a shortage of replacement components around the world.
The airline had previously warned of the possibility of service interruptions as a result of continuous supply chain issues. Kenya Airways is renowned for its strategy of connecting African travellers to the rest of the world through its Nairobi hub, utilizing both Boeing and Embraer planes.
Passengers are assured that the airline is committed to providing timely information and assistance to help overcome any challenges resulting from flight disruptions.
In the event of flight disruptions, the airline assures that the affected passengers will be promptly rebooked on the earliest possible flight or assisted by the airline’s codeshare partners.
