Key takeaways:
- Kenya Airways says the Middle East conflict pushed its fuel costs up 72% in the first half of 2026
- Fuel now accounts for up to 50% of the airline’s total costs
- The airline is also facing delayed aircraft parts deliveries and reduced fleet availability
Kenya Airways says the Middle East conflict drove up its fuel costs by 72% in the first half of this year and caused delays to spare parts supplies and aircraft maintenance.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer George Kamau disclosed the impact to journalists in Nairobi on Wednesday, ahead of the airline’s 2026 half-year results due early next week.
“We have been heavily impacted by the war with the fuel prices rising by 72% in the current half year,” Kamau said, adding that fuel now accounts for up to 50% of all costs at one of Africa’s largest airlines.
Kamau said the airline is also grappling with delayed aircraft parts deliveries, reduced aircraft availability and a global rise in inflation, all of which will weigh on revenue.
He said the global backlog in aircraft supplies is affecting operators worldwide, but Kenya Airways’ small fleet of 40 planes leaves it particularly exposed.
“We have demand, every route we deploy… it’s full so we need the aircraft as soon as possible,” Kamau said.
Aircraft delivery delays add to the pressure
The airline is currently awaiting delivery of two Boeing 737 planes, while two others due for delivery in April were rejected after failing inspection tests, Kamau said. The setbacks compound an already tight fleet capacity, limiting the airline’s ability to meet demand on routes that Kamau said are already running full.
A loss-making year under pressure to cut costs
Kenya Airways reported a pre-tax loss of 17.93 billion Kenyan shillings ($138.56 million) last year on lower revenues, following a rare profit in the prior period. Kamau said the airline is now scrutinizing every contract in an effort to control costs.
“We are reviewing every single contract at KQ and finding how to save every dollar because our profit per seat is just $1.50 and we have to save every dollar we make,” he said.
The airline’s slim per-seat margin underscores how sensitive its finances are to external shocks like fuel price spikes, leaving little room to absorb costs before they show up directly in the bottom line.
