Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced plans to begin producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) within the next five years as part of its commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. The national carrier shared the update during the launch of its 2024 Sustainability Report at the Pride Centre in Nairobi, reports The Standard.
KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka said the airline has signed a memorandum of understanding with a local SAF producer. The project will involve planting trees on degraded land in Kwale County, a former mining site, to generate feedstock for SAF production. “Our goal is to produce SAF for both local use and export once the trees mature around 2030,” he said.
Kilavuka noted that KQ has already planted 1.2 million trees and plans to match that number annually. He highlighted that fuel accounts for 64% of the airline’s carbon emissions, stressing the urgency of adopting cleaner alternatives. “SAF is still new and costly—about four to five times more expensive than regular jet fuel—which makes its adoption challenging,” he said.
He added that 30–35% of airline costs come from fuel, making fuel efficiency a priority. KQ is working with the African Airlines Association to improve flight routes and reduce distances flown.
In May 2023, KQ became the first African airline to use SAF for a long-haul flight, flying from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.
KQ has also converted 12 pieces of ground service equipment to electric and established a plant that transforms plastic waste into biodiesel. Kilavuka said the airline is committed to promoting gender equality, with women making up 8% of its pilots—well above the global average of 4–5%.
Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Festus Ng’eno praised KQ’s role in helping Kenya reach its target of a 32% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030. “This SAF project is a perfect example of the public-private partnerships needed to drive green growth,” said Ng’eno, in remarks delivered by John Elungata, Secretary of Administration at the State Department.
Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika commended KQ’s efforts to support women in leadership and pledged to enforce the Fly Kenyan Policy. “I’ll ensure the policy is implemented effectively, while also working to grow KQ’s capacity and reach,” she said.
