Kenya Airways (Nairobi) and Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) yesterday (April 4) celebrated the delivery and flyaway of the Kenyan flag carrier’s first 787 Dreamliner. Boeing 787-8 5Y-KZA (msn 35510) departed Paine Field in Everett for a 7,800 nautical mile (14,456 km) nonstop flight to Kenya Airways’ home base in Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
This delivery is the first of nine 787 Dreamliners set to join Kenya Airways’ fleet. The deliveries of additional 787s, along with 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes, forms part of the East African carrier’s 10-year strategic plan called “Project Mawingu.” The plan is focused on increasing the airline’s fleet size from 44 airplanes to 107 by 2021 and destinations from the 62 to 115. Currently the Nairobi-based carrier operates an all-Boeing long-haul fleet of six 767-300 ERs, four 777-200ERs and one 777-300 ER.
Kenya Airways’ first 787 is scheduled to begin flying regionally within Africa (Mombasa and Johannesburg) in the coming weeks, before beginning long-haul service to Paris (CDG) in early June. Currently the “Pride of Africa” serves destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. To date, more than 130 Dreamliners have been delivered to 17 customers worldwide.
Top Copyright Photo: Boeing. 5Y-KZA departs from Paine Field near Everett.
Kenya Airways: 
Bottom Copyright Photo: Kenya Airways. 5Y-KZA lands in Nairobi on April 5. CEO Dr. Titus Naikuni carries the Kenyan flag and walks towards H.E Uhuru Kenyatta for the hand over of the aircraft.
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Filed under: Kenya Airways Tagged: 35510, 5Y-KZA, 787, 787 dreamliner, 787-8, Boeing, Boeing 787, Boeing 787-8, Everett, Kenya Airways, Nairobi, PAE, Paine Field
