Kenya Airways to Add Flights as Iran War Pushes Passenger Demand to Record 99%
Kenya’s national carrier is preparing to increase flight frequencies on several routes after a sharp surge in passenger demand, driven by travellers avoiding conflict-hit transit hubs in the Middle East.
Kenya Airways Plc said its load factor, a measure of seat occupancy, has climbed as high as 99% on some routes, up from an average of about 70% at the start of the year, according to a Bloomberg report.
Acting Chief Executive Officer George Kamal described the spike as unusual for what is typically a low travel season.
“This is the first time we’re seeing load factors exceed 90% at this time of year,” Kamal said in Nairobi. “We are already looking to add frequency, and we will.”
Since the Iran–Israel conflict began in late February, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have disrupted major Middle Eastern transit hubs, pushing long-haul travellers to reroute through cities like Nairobi and Addis Ababa.
Airlines such as Deutsche Lufthansa are expanding routes to Asia and Africa to meet rising demand as carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways face airspace constraints.
Kenya Airways is recording its strongest demand on routes to Europe, the United States, and Asia. Kamal added that the airline expects to retain roughly 40% of these new passengers even after the conflict subsides.
On the operational front, the airline said it currently has about 50 days’ worth of fuel reserves and is in talks with refiners in India to secure additional supply. The African Airlines Association is also supporting regional carriers with fuel procurement.
Kenya Airways has already conducted two repatriation flights, evacuating around 400 passengers from affected areas, and is considering deploying another.
Meanwhile, airlines face soaring jet fuel prices as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts supply. Africa is especially exposed, with about 70% of its jet fuel and kerosene imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
While the Iran–Israel conflict has disrupted global travel, it has also, in some respects, worked in Kenya’s favour.
Earlier reporting by Business Insider Africa also showed that the impact extends beyond aviation. Kenya’s Lamu Port has emerged as an unexpected beneficiary of the disruption. Once struggling to attract steady traffic, the port has seen a noticeable uptick in activity.
According to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Lamu Port has received 74 vessels so far this year—about a third of the total ships it has handled since opening in 2021. This marks a sharp increase from just two container ships recorded in the first quarter of last year.
