Boeing

The Boeing Company today confirmed that Kenya Airways, Ltd., has ordered three enhanced Boeing 767-400ERS and two Boeing Next-Generation 737-700s, completing its fleet expansion and upgrade plan.

Kenya Airways thus becomes one of the first airlines to place an order for the longer-range Boeing 767-400ER that is in development. Deliveries of the new 767-400ERs are expected to begin in May 2004. Deliveries of the airline's first Boeing Next-Generation 737-700s are expected in December 2002.

"I am confident that the traveling public will be delighted by the level of comfort and reliability of service that our new airplane types will allow us to deliver," said Isaac Omolo Okero, chairman of Kenya Airways. "We look forward to expanding our fleet and enhancing the services we are able to provide to our customers using these new airplanes."

The latest improvements to the Boeing 767-400ER combine airframe and engine enhancements to provide greater payload and range capability for the largest member of the 767 family. The added performance will support Kenya Airways' continuing growth on their long-range routes.

The Next-Generation 737-700s will join Kenya Airways' existing 737-300s, serving its rapidly expanding network of regional markets throughout Africa.

"Kenya Airways chose these two new Boeing airplane models because they offer superior levels of performance and passenger comfort," said Doug Groseclose, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group vice president-South Asia/Pacific, Africa and Middle East Sales. "We look forward to participating in the next stage of Kenya Airways' success not only with these new airplanes, but also with a continuing expansion of the close working relationship between our companies."

Kenya Airways, one of the fastest growing and most profitable airlines in Africa, is building an aviation hub in Nairobi to facilitate travel throughout sub-Saharan Africa and to key destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In conjunction with its alliance partners, Kenya Airways offers travelers from around the globe efficient and comfortable flights to most African destinations.

The purchase contract signed in Nairobi follows the airline's decision announced earlier this year to replace its fleet of Airbus A310s with Boeing 767-300ERs. As passenger traffic grows over the next few years, the 767-300ERs will be moved onto longer regional routes and the larger 767-400ERs will take over the European routes.

In Kenya Airways' two-class configurations, the 767-300ERs will seat 221 passengers while the 767-400ERs will accommodate 259 passengers. Both models will incorporate the latest Boeing widebody interiors derived from the Boeing 777 design, providing unmatched comfort and spaciousness for passengers. Kenya Airways also will equip its 767 fleet with personal in-seat video entertainment systems.

The new 737s will enable Kenya Airways to provide its passengers with reliable schedules, frequent flights and convenient connections to destinations throughout Africa via the Nairobi hub. The Next-Generation 737-700s will have a similar seating configuration to Kenya Airways' popular 737-300 fleet, while enhancing passenger comfort with a new, more spacious interior and entertainment systems to make travel more enjoyable.