Boeing

Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], visited Kenya Airways in Nairobi last week in recognition of the airline and to celebrate its order for six 787 Dreamliners and its commissioning of a new primary school.

Mulally congratulated Titus Naikuni, Kenya Airways' Group Managing Director and CEO, for having achieved International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification and for the launch of Kenya Airways' Leadership Center. Boeing is investing to assist the airline in establishing a world-class training facility in Nairobi, as well as providing 787 door trainers directly to Kenya Airways.

"This training facility will help us to deliver exemplary service and will provide our people with the necessary skill base as we expand and modernize our fleet of aircraft," Naikuni said. "Our new 787s offer Kenya Airways the chance to reach farther across the globe in welcoming people to experience Africa's wide, open spaces."

Kenya Airways is scheduled to receive its first two 787 Dreamliners in 2010 and the remaining four in 2011.

"We are proud to have an overwhelming majority of African carriers flying Boeing airplanes," said Mulally. "We understand that there is much more to our success here than just building the world's most efficient and reliable airplanes. We are committed to work together with our customers to help them be successful."

The 787 Dreamliner is the primary choice of African airlines that are in the process of renewing their fleets, winning every sales campaign in the region in which it has been offered. Air Seychelles recently announced its intent to lease two 787s from ILFC, becoming the newest carrier from the region to join the 787 Dreamliner team. Capt. David Savy, Air Seychelles CEO, was on hand to celebrate the decision.

"We were simply amazed by what Boeing has done with the 787," Savy said. "The unmatched operational performance aside, much thought and consideration has gone into the development of this airplane. It's clear that Boeing has truly responded to input from all its constituents."

Earlier this year, Boeing also worked in partnership with Kenya Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in the commissioning of a new primary school at the Makuru Community Centre in Nairobi. Kenya Airways has implemented an extensive Corporate and Social Responsibility program covering a wide range of projects throughout the country.