My humble tribute to ET302.

An entire dedication to fellow Ethiopian, Djiboutian, Kenyan, Rwandan, Somalian and Ugandan nationals and other passengers who lost life and precious relatives in the tragic event occuring the 10/03/19. Most of them were heading off to the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi.
The two East African powerhouses were unfortunately the most impacted by ET302 flight.

Previous trip reports:

* The New Kenya Airways (J): 787 vs 77W, CDG-NBO-AMS
* RwandAir flagships: WB701 London to Kigali, A330-300 Business Class
* Air France ~ Karibu tena | Paris – Nairobi Inaugural | B789
* Air Zimbabwe 737-200 + Train ride to Victoria Falls


Initially, this TR should have been titled "The best use of €750 for a long haul trip return in J".
As you can guess, which is exactly the all inclusive fare paid to fly from Addis Ababa (ADD) to Milan (MXP) and back in business class (being more flexible could have cost only a mere EUR 641).

Please note:
1) Many other European cities are available at similar price (BRU, FCO to name but a few) or slightly more ( ARN, GOT, GVA, ZRH).
2) You can choose to fly long haul sectors on either AF metal (789 in 1/2/1 B&B cabin) via CDG, KL metal (747 in 2/2/2 "new" cabin) via AMS, or KQ via LHR/CDG/AMS on 788.


Kenya Airways KQ405
Addis Ababa – Nairobi
719 miles
3:30 – 5:40 ( 2h10)
E190 5Y-FFK


The hotel shuttle dropped me off at ADD at midnight.
First security check deserted! Check-in a breeze too by the smiling ET staff.

Has this road ever been used by civilian vehicles ?


Quiet check-in counters



Past passport control, time to chill out! Ethiopian Airlines welcomes KQ premium guests in ET's Star Gold Lounge – access usually granted to Star Alliance Gold members, which is fine. (Oddly 2 days later – on the way to KGL when flying in eco, I was admitted in to the nicer Cloud 9 lounge – reserved for ET J pax only, more on this later).

Star Alliance Gold members lounge entrance


F&B section


On the small side compared to ET C9 lounge.


Dinner or breakfast ?



New terminal extension of ADD had yet to open, so boarding obliged to pass through a second X-ray scan!

Besides reading this TR, you are strongly encouraged to listen and feel the just sublime song: "African Love".

Boarding on time and crew offered KQ's new signature drink as pre-departure beverage.
Given the time and duration, a small snack was offered.

Bussed to Fox Kilo, a 6 years old chariot


A not too busy JCL


My PDB drink : tamarind juice. A bitter taste. Boss of Tamarind Group was killed in Ethiopian plane crash


An ET 7M8 from CAI


ADD terminal


Box




No tray anymore


Yoghurt from Ethiopia


Contents of mini box


To plug your devices


Headsets given on Embraer or Y medium/long haul sectors.


IFE screen really good for a 2h flight


Landing on time at NBO.

Pax bus waiting at NBO



KQ Simba lounge, much private in the morning, beats hands down the flagship Pride Lounge. Reviews of both lounges can be discovered here.

If you aspire shopping at NBO, you can't go wrong but, head straight to the old part of the terminal after the Java Coffee house at gate 12 with gate numbers decreasing. You'll get more duty free shops with a wider choice but, most important, prices are way cheaper plus one can even bargain them like it town – seriously. (Keep in mind that you need at least one hour or more between your flights, as you'll need to go through security when coming back to the new terminal).


Great shopping deals should be snatched here if you are rushing (= 1h or less connecting time)...


... Otherwise, run to the oldest part of the terminal airside as, for same products you get lower prices


Pride Lounge at NBO


A good (but not the best) view from the Pride Lounge NBO


Some spotting : from partner to it becomes a real competitor CZ to CAN




Kenya Airways KQ116
Nairobi – Amsterdam
4140 miles
8:30 – 14:50 ( 8h20)
B788 5Y-KZF

Priority boarding enforced!
Cabin 87% full in business class.
Seat mate a French consultant very restful.

5Y-KZF, one of the three nameless 787 (along with KZD & KZJ), will carry us to Europe




Amenity kit, newspapers with choice, noise cancelling headset and welcome drinks (Tamarind/orange juices + water) were passed out prior taking off


20 min delay at push back (issue with one of the toilets)


The Mount Kenya – 5199 m



Breakfast served 60 min after pushing back.
Fully stuffed, to relax I've watched two interesting Nigerian movies, not based on witchcraft; Gate Man starring Ruth Kadiri and Bolanle Ninalowo, then followed by My Story.
Both were excellent though, the first one a bit cheesy romantic and, the second My Story (Ginika) with Chizzy Alichi and Zubby Michael leaves you a bit puzzled at the very end!

Piping hot towel


New menu folder for LH : very classy !




Brilliant Chef Kiran Jethwa teamed up with KQ and introduced new protocols & menus in September 2018








Hot pastry and strong Kenyan coffee




A runny omelette, not cooked enough for my liking



Lunch service started 2h before landing over the south of Italy.


Only 4/30 vacant seats (= 87% LF) overall in J cabin


G&T with macadamia nuts


Splendid landscapes over Italy


Breakfast and lunch menu


Drinks and wines list


Champagne along with something to nibble : cherry tomato/cucumber/feta cheese


« Pearl Barley Risotto of Mount Kenya and Terere Pesto Sauce, Romesco Dressing, Asparagus Carpaccio and Pecorino Cheese » (absolutely exquisite)


KQ's new service protocol has removed the plastic tray, what do you think ?


New China plate similar to ET also : « Grilled King Prawns, Swahili Curry Sauce, Toasted Wali wa Nazi and Ginger Infused Kenyan Beans » – soo gorgeous !


« Assorted cheese plate » and « Baked Chocolate and Kahawa Ganache with Spicy Kilifi Cashew Nut »


Expresso & cappucino available (on 787 only) too.


Nasty weather  in Holland


Short farewell to KQ, until the day after


Automated gates at border were apparently operational (however with huge queues), but could not read the passport, I was obliged to visit the Marechaussee office who checked for a while it was not a fake document. When they gave it back, they said there was a problem when it was issued.



KL1637
Amsterdam – Milan
495 miles
21:20 – 23:00 ( 1h40)
B738 PH-BXF


I believe you still see the old KL Crown lounge now, has anyone been to the new one recently refurbished?

Outside view from the lounge.


As often, so crowded at this time !


A waitress came around to offer some chicken wings – nice


Clean and spacious shower - with hand & body cream!



Flight departed late: 26 min.
We were only 4 pax in C.



Standard pitch




Light load


Dinner menu


Dinner




A succulent dressing to buy once at home


I've asked for second plate, brought over in no time, look at KL stylish silverware




Upon collecting the luggages, Italian custom officers questioned where I ( and every other pax) was coming from - Ethiopia and waived me off !

Out before midnight at MXP




RETURN JOURNEY in a few pictures:


Breakfast voucher offered at check in desk, as MXP lounge opens at 6am only.


Very tasty croissant stuffed with custard cream


Sala Monteverdi Lounge at Milan MXP




AF C breakfast ( pancake served hot) – There might be a menu but not sure/can't find it.


Very first time aboard « The Aberdare Range » 5Y – KZH


Italian influence




Beef chuck with (mild) pepper sauce


Delicious fruit charlotte






I also include a landing video in Djibouti of KQ454 which makes a stop on its way to ADD. (No 5th freedom rights though).
https://youtu.be/FrMurmwb5pM

Due to a schedule change (KQ452 instead of KQ404), layover at ADD on separate tickets went from 8h to 4h. Upon disembarking, I went straight to the immigration desks to buy the single entry visa, while commenting loudly on the fact that it was pity that no one could get the transit visa directly here on arrival. The kind officer advised me to go upstairs at ET transfer desk. From here, a fantastic ET employee took the luggage tags and next flight booking reference and said that luggages will be transfered to KGL via NBO and added that I would need to collect the BPs at the gate upon boarding. In the meantime, I was surprisingly admitted to the much better Cloud 9 lounge while flying Eco with KQ and without holding any BP so far...
I proceeded to the gate relatively early, and good news the BPs got printed. Staff asked if I had luggages (yes 2) but I was not given any tag by one of their colleagues who told me to not to worry as they will follow me directly to Rwanda!
All in all a very positive transit experience. However I can not certify this is the standard non ET/*A transit procedure at ADD, but for sure kudos to all ET staff who can do it with smile.
Would it be realistically possible to try to do this in Europe/China/US?


KQ454 with a stop at Djibouti airport – JIB


Air Djibouti DC-9 with which registration? Is she still flying (even non commercial) ?


Taken at Kigali ! On separate tickets, a KQ to KQ transfer very smooth at ADD – Well done to all Ethiopian Airlines staff !



Sorry that it took so long to publish. These days photobucket screws up too often, more over with their extortionate fees, it proved better to switch to the free and excellent Casimages.com tool asap.


CONCLUSION

Surely a no brainer for €750 (or less...) – anyone can fly upfront. God bless ET staff at ADD, otherwise it would have been very difficult on the way back. Will try to compare AF and KL next time on the same routes!
ADD – NBO route was flown 4 times and ET twice, from East Africa to Europe last year.
My sincere sympathy to my African sisters/brothers and their families of this awful crash.


More trip reports:

* Brussels Airlines in Y+/Y: EDI – BRU – KGL
* BA Club World in A380 + Virgin Little Red: JNB-LHR-EDI
* Sunshine in Burundi? Kenya Airways, Bujumbura – Cape Town and back to Paris CDG
* KLM versus Emirates on Harare – Lusaka


Many thanks for reading, comments and corrections always appreciated!

Léonard / EastAfSpot aka East African Spotter

It was indeed a sad moment in aviation history. Praying for the friends and family of those on the flight ET 302.

Thanks for sharing your report. It's intriguing to see what's happening in African aviation. I'm quite disappointed to see KQ serving economy-style snack box in business class and that's no excuse for a 2hr flight! Don't ET serve full-plated? May be such ungodly hours are the reason.

Okay, I'm really curious what those two side dishes were on your KLM flight - am I seeing 2 dessert items? I have a sweet-tooth so if that's the case, I wouldn't hesitate to fly even on a euro-business flight

Thanks for the nice tribute Eastafspot. I flew a few of your routes via NBO and ADD so good memories. Your Air Djibouti "DC9" is actually an Air Djibouti/Red Sea Airlines Fokker 100. Registered UP-F1009 and leased from Bek Air since June 2018 and believe it is active, a very nice catch!
Not sure if there was a typo but not sure how you get from 4/30 vacant seats to a 87% LF, sounds more like 13.33% but I may be missing something.
cheers
Anton

Many thanks for commenting Hirofumi, glad to see you are still around! Any nice TR from you on stock?

hirofumi wrote:

It was indeed a sad moment in aviation history. Praying for the friends and family of those on the flight ET 302.

You just picked the right words, Amen!

hirofumi wrote:

Thanks for sharing your report. It's intriguing to see what's happening in African aviation. I'm quite disappointed to see KQ serving economy-style snack box in business class and that's no excuse for a 2hr flight! Don't ET serve full-plated? May be such ungodly hours are the reason.

You are not the first one to notice this lousy move, following a nasty trend! When it's an awful red-eye flight like this, you can imagine it's just fine – alas all regional routes (less than 2h30) to/from NBO get this sad catering, while, as you already know, you get a plated hot meal with ET.

hirofumi wrote:

Okay, I'm really curious what those two side dishes were on your KLM flight - am I seeing 2 dessert items? I have a sweet-tooth so if that's the case, I wouldn't hesitate to fly even on a euro-business flight 

Actually there's only one dessert (the exotic fruit mousse), on the far right of the tray this is a Mediterranean vegs & feta cheese cake
The Euro flights you should take are obviously the longest i.e. CDG/AMS to ATH/IST with hot meals/liquors etc...
On the other hand AZ C short haul routes get hot meals but no choice or variety either - ( to FCO: green salad/creamy raviolis/chocolate coffee ganache, from FCO: gnocchetti sardi with tomato sauce and zucchini / lemon pie)

PHAVR wrote:

Thanks for the nice tribute Eastafspot .

You are welcome, thanks for stopping by Anton .

PHAVR wrote:

 I flew a few of your routes via NBO and ADD so good memories. Your Air Djibouti "DC9" is actually an Air Djibouti/Red Sea Airlines Fokker 100. Registered UP-F1009 and leased from Bek Air since June 2018 and believe it is active, a very nice catch!

Great news, was it your first time in JIB?
Many thanks for these useful infos, much appreciated – Do you know for how long is the lease agreement or on which (passengers) routes this cute bird is sent to ? Looks like B737 to most destinations unfortunately !

PHAVR wrote:

Not sure if there was a typo but not sure how you get from 4/30 vacant seats to a 87% LF, sounds more like 13.33% but I may be missing something. 

Sorry if the way it's explained is confusing.
In total, there were 26 occupied seats in the entire business cabin (out of 30 seats available) leading to 26 divided by 30 which equals 86,67 % .
Does it make sense to you now?

Great TR. 5Y-KZH was the plane that came back from Oman late last year. Any noticeable differences with the other KQ dreamliners?

nairobby wrote:

Great TR. 5Y-KZH was the plane that came back from Oman late last year. Any noticeable differences with the other KQ dreamliners?

Asante sana Nairobby, karibu!
That's the reason it was so difficult to catch KZH, Do you know why three planes don't have name ( or will be named in the future)?
Will the 77W (from TK?) come back this year?
And for the differences, it looks like more silent than others and we flew faster than usual!

Hi Eastafspot,
The F100 seems to be mainly routing between Mogadishu-Hargeisa though reception is spotty in the Horn so flightaware doesn't pick up all flights. Not sure about lease conditions but count yourself lucky to have seen it! Never been to JIB, only NBO, WIL, ADD, DAR and KGL in East Africa. Got it: 26/30 not 4/30
cheers
PHAVR

eastafspot wrote:

nairobby wrote:

Great TR. 5Y-KZH was the plane that came back from Oman late last year. Any noticeable differences with the other KQ dreamliners?

Asante sana Nairobby, karibu!
That's the reason it was so difficult to catch KZH, Do you know why three planes don't have name ( or will be named in the future)?
Will the 77W (from TK?) come back this year?
And for the differences, it looks like more silent than others and we flew faster than usual!

No idea why they aren't named. 77W's may just come back as they're coming to the end of their lease but I'm not sure KQ wants them.

PHAVR wrote:

Hi Eastafspot,
The F100 seems to be mainly routing between Mogadishu-Hargeisa though reception is spotty in the Horn so flightaware doesn't pick up all flights. Not sure about lease conditions but count yourself lucky to have seen it!

Once again, many thanks Anton for your insight and compliments – it does perfectly make sense about Flightaware, these guys are having other fish to fry than tracking ADS-B signals!
Too bad the F100 is only sent to Somalia. Can she perform a leg to DXB non stop for instance?
In another way, Air Djibouti network is not stretching out up to EU/US or Asia though .

PHAVR wrote:

Never been to JIB, only NBO, WIL, ADD, DAR and KGL in East Africa.
PHAVR

With which airline did you fly in/out of Nairobi's second airport? What do you really think of WIL? To be honest, it looks so complicated...
So glad to read you've been to my homecountry - Rwanda – just transit or you were allowed to go outside?

PHAVR wrote:

Got it: 26/30 not 4/30
cheers
PHAVR

My bad, it should have written it better!

nairobby wrote:

eastafspot wrote:

nairobby wrote:

Great TR. 5Y-KZH was the plane that came back from Oman late last year. Any noticeable differences with the other KQ dreamliners?

Asante sana Nairobby, karibu!
That's the reason it was so difficult to catch KZH, Do you know why three planes don't have name ( or will be named in the future)?
Will the 77W (from TK?) come back this year?
And for the differences, it looks like more silent than others and we flew faster than usual!

No idea why they aren't named. 77W's may just come back as they're coming to the end of their lease but I'm not sure KQ wants them.

What KQ can do with them otherwise?
Do you know if Oman Air still operates one of KQ plane?
Not sure if true or not, but apparently during Easter KQ is sending the Dreamliner to Mombasa... looks cool to get a domestic ride in WB but, not sure if it's good idea since I thought they lacked of aircraft with the recent E90s incident!

"To meet the strong demand during this Easter holiday, Kenya Airways announced the introduction of its dreamliner 787-8 on the Nairobi-Mombasa route as well as the increase of flights to Kisumu.
In addition to scheduled flights, the 234-seat Dreamliner will fly six flights between the capital and Moi International Airport. Two flights will be operated on Thursday, April 18th, a flight will be made on Friday, April 19th, a flight is scheduled for Sunday, April 21st and two flights are scheduled Monday, April 22nd".

Sorry , link in French:
https://newsaero.info/airlines/kenya-ai ... ?true=1731

eastafspot wrote:

nairobby wrote:

eastafspot wrote:

Asante sana Nairobby, karibu!
That's the reason it was so difficult to catch KZH, Do you know why three planes don't have name ( or will be named in the future)?
Will the 77W (from TK?) come back this year?
And for the differences, it looks like more silent than others and we flew faster than usual!

No idea why they aren't named. 77W's may just come back as they're coming to the end of their lease but I'm not sure KQ wants them.

What KQ can do with them otherwise?
Do you know if Oman Air still operates one of KQ plane?
Not sure if true or not, but apparently during Easter KQ is sending the Dreamliner to Mombasa... looks cool to get a domestic ride in WB but, not sure if it's good idea since I thought they lacked of aircraft with the recent E90s incident!

"To meet the strong demand during this Easter holiday, Kenya Airways announced the introduction of its dreamliner 787-8 on the Nairobi-Mombasa route as well as the increase of flights to Kisumu.
In addition to scheduled flights, the 234-seat Dreamliner will fly six flights between the capital and Moi International Airport. Two flights will be operated on Thursday, April 18th, a flight will be made on Friday, April 19th, a flight is scheduled for Sunday, April 21st and two flights are scheduled Monday, April 22nd".

Sorry , link in French:
https://newsaero.info/airlines/kenya-ai ... ?true=1731

Sebastian, the CEO said they're working really hard to try and sell them. KQ cannot sustain operating a 400 seat plane unfortunately.
Oman still has one of KQ's dreamliners registered under A4O-SZ. It should be headed to Rome in May to get repainted back to KQ colours in time for the GVA/FCO flights in June.
Yup they sent out a number of 787's due to the Easter demand.

nairobby wrote:

eastafspot wrote:

nairobby wrote:

No idea why they aren't named. 77W's may just come back as they're coming to the end of their lease but I'm not sure KQ wants them.

What KQ can do with them otherwise?
Do you know if Oman Air still operates one of KQ plane?
Not sure if true or not, but apparently during Easter KQ is sending the Dreamliner to Mombasa... looks cool to get a domestic ride in WB but, not sure if it's good idea since I thought they lacked of aircraft with the recent E90s incident!

"To meet the strong demand during this Easter holiday, Kenya Airways announced the introduction of its dreamliner 787-8 on the Nairobi-Mombasa route as well as the increase of flights to Kisumu.
In addition to scheduled flights, the 234-seat Dreamliner will fly six flights between the capital and Moi International Airport. Two flights will be operated on Thursday, April 18th, a flight will be made on Friday, April 19th, a flight is scheduled for Sunday, April 21st and two flights are scheduled Monday, April 22nd".

Sorry , link in French:
https://newsaero.info/airlines/kenya-ai ... ?true=1731

Sebastian, the CEO said they're working really hard to try and sell them. KQ cannot sustain operating a 400 seat plane unfortunately.
Oman still has one of KQ's dreamliners registered under A4O-SZ. It should be headed to Rome in May to get repainted back to KQ colours in time for the GVA/FCO flights in June.
Yup they sent out a number of 787's due to the Easter demand.

Maybe the aircraft joined the fleet a bit too late! KQ were operating 10 flights a week to LHR a few years ago so capacity wise the 77W could have done the job. Now they can't fly so often because they have sold the slots right?
Mr Mikosz doesn't appear very popular these days – and some people would be surprise if his contract is renewed!
Do you know (or think) if Kenyan pilots are among the best paid in Africa? Are their working conditions not better than in the UAE (they can strike for instance...).
Many thanks for this info, I was not aware that painting was done in Italy, always thought it could be done in NBO (or elsewhere).
Good news for Kenyans and tourists, like when they received the 787 in 2013, for crew and training purposes the first flights plied the Mombasa shuttle.

eastafspot wrote:

nairobby wrote:

eastafspot wrote:

What KQ can do with them otherwise?
Do you know if Oman Air still operates one of KQ plane?
Not sure if true or not, but apparently during Easter KQ is sending the Dreamliner to Mombasa... looks cool to get a domestic ride in WB but, not sure if it's good idea since I thought they lacked of aircraft with the recent E90s incident!

"To meet the strong demand during this Easter holiday, Kenya Airways announced the introduction of its dreamliner 787-8 on the Nairobi-Mombasa route as well as the increase of flights to Kisumu.
In addition to scheduled flights, the 234-seat Dreamliner will fly six flights between the capital and Moi International Airport. Two flights will be operated on Thursday, April 18th, a flight will be made on Friday, April 19th, a flight is scheduled for Sunday, April 21st and two flights are scheduled Monday, April 22nd".

Sorry , link in French:
https://newsaero.info/airlines/kenya-ai ... ?true=1731

Sebastian, the CEO said they're working really hard to try and sell them. KQ cannot sustain operating a 400 seat plane unfortunately.
Oman still has one of KQ's dreamliners registered under A4O-SZ. It should be headed to Rome in May to get repainted back to KQ colours in time for the GVA/FCO flights in June.
Yup they sent out a number of 787's due to the Easter demand.

Maybe the aircraft joined the fleet a bit too late! KQ were operating 10 flights a week to LHR a few years ago so capacity wise the 77W could have done the job. Now they can't fly so often because they have sold the slots right?
Mr Mikosz doesn't appear very popular these days – and some people would be surprise if his contract is renewed!
Do you know (or think) if Kenyan pilots are among the best paid in Africa? Are their working conditions not better than in the UAE (they can strike for instance...).
Many thanks for this info, I was not aware that painting was done in Italy, always thought it could be done in NBO (or elsewhere).
Good news for Kenyans and tourists, like when they received the 787 in 2013, for crew and training purposes the first flights plied the Mombasa shuttle.

LHR is definitely one of the routes where the 788 capacity isn't enough however for the other routes the 788 offers perfect capacity. 77W would be just too big especially since they have 3 of them.
Haha I don't even see him asking for a renewal, situation is so dire at KQ and he himself said he doesn't know how the company can be profitable in its current state.
KQ pilots are definitely one of if not the best paid in Africa. They are remunerated very well and they take up 45% of KQ's labour cost. ME3 carriers definitely pay better and its tax free but Kenyan pilots are earning good money and they get to stay home which is a plus.
Yes, 5Y-KZH was also re-painted in Rome, the last 788 will be registered 5Y-KZJ.

Previous management messed up big time in fact they should be in jail. The 77W's were completely unnecessary and is capacity that wasn't needed. They also signed up to expensive long term leases for 2 of the 3 77W's that are currently bleeding $2m monthly for KQ since they've sub leased them at a lower cost. All this for kick backs.

nairobby wrote:

Previous management messed up big time in fact they should be in jail. The 77W's were completely unnecessary and is capacity that wasn't needed. They also signed up to expensive long term leases for 2 of the 3 77W's that are currently bleeding $2m monthly for KQ since they've sub leased them at a lower cost. All this for kick backs.

Wow, thanks a ton Nairobby for this great analysis with your two comments!
It's very true that the workforce is an asset but they (some of them) are blocking KQ's expansion. A very good friend of mine working as cabin crew never support the strikes for instance!
Do you hold responsible only T.N. or also his successor (and team too), why investors allowed the Mawingu Project in the first hand?
How do you see the future of KQ (with the revival of almost all East African carriers as competitors)? I mean what should be done to leave this gloomy situation?
Do you think the idea of KQ controlling JKIA, could have turned them profitable - say in about 2-3 years?

eastafspot wrote:

nairobby wrote:

Previous management messed up big time in fact they should be in jail. The 77W's were completely unnecessary and is capacity that wasn't needed. They also signed up to expensive long term leases for 2 of the 3 77W's that are currently bleeding $2m monthly for KQ since they've sub leased them at a lower cost. All this for kick backs.

Wow, thanks a ton Nairobby for this great analysis with your two comments!
It's very true that the workforce is an asset but they (some of them) are blocking KQ's expansion. A very good friend of mine working as cabin crew never support the strikes for instance!
Do you hold responsible only T.N. or also his successor (and team too), why investors allowed the Mawingu Project in the first hand?
How do you see the future of KQ (with the revival of almost all East African carriers as competitors)? I mean what should be done to leave this gloomy situation?
Do you think the idea of KQ controlling JKIA, could have turned them profitable - say in about 2-3 years?

I hold the entire management during that period of Project Mawingu, primarily TN and the CFO, Alex. Mawingu was too big too fast of an expansion without a viable strategy. TN issuing a rights issue to fund Mawingu also messed up the minority shareholders. They allowed Mawingu because they made money from it. The only person who doesn't make money from KQ is the shareholders.
The future is bright, make Nairobi a hub and increase routes (only viable ones) routes that aren't working should be closed, improve OTP, passenger experience (both hard & soft product), stop losing people's luggage. However the airline has a very big cost problem that has to be addressed.
It may have because adding JKIA assets to the balance sheet would have made it stronger. However until they address the cost problem I don't see a return to profitability.

nairobby wrote:

I hold the entire management during that period of Project Mawingu, primarily TN and the CFO, Alex. Mawingu was too big too fast of an expansion without a viable strategy. TN issuing a rights issue to fund Mawingu also messed up the minority shareholders. They allowed Mawingu because they made money from it. The only person who doesn't make money from KQ is the shareholders.
The future is bright, make Nairobi a hub and increase routes (only viable ones) routes that aren't working should be closed, improve OTP, passenger experience (both hard & soft product), stop losing people's luggage. However the airline has a very big cost problem that has to be addressed.
It may have because adding JKIA assets to the balance sheet would have made it stronger. However until they address the cost problem I don't see a return to profitability.

Yeah, it seems clear now - thanks for explaning
If you compare NBO & ADD, KQ's hub is already an international platform attracting more carriers than its counterpart further north, that's one of the main problems that should be solved - International carriers numbers/figures are ludicrous in ADD compared to NBO.
It's intriguing that C.S. Macharia did not think about the bigger picture for Kenya with JKIA airport expansion needs, should JKIA add a second runway in the near future? I think so but ain't a Kenyan taxpayers... ? Are you?

Treasury writes off KQ's Sh24.2bn loan to keep it afloat?
Is it a good news, and for how long it can last before YOU ( or Kenyans) dig in their own pockets to rescue the Pride Of Africa?

Dear Eastafspot,
You asked some time back about how the lease was of that Air Djibouti Fokker 100 (UP-F1009. Just read it was returned to Bek Air from Djibouti via Muscat to Almaty 19 April 2019 after lease ended.
Plus other Fokker updates for the region is that 1) the former Tanzanian Government VIP Fokker 50 (5H-TGF) was transferred to Air Tanzania, fitted with a standard airline interior and repainted. The aircraft was noted 28 March 2019 in full Air Tanzania livery with the name "Umoja hapa kazi tu" on the nose ( "unity works just here"). 2) the Tanzania Government Flight Fokker F28 (5H-CCM) will soon also be transferred to Air Tanzania to increase capacity. Bit odd but don't know more.
Sorry if this is old news but don't follow the site on daily basis!
best
Anton
p.s. I spent 5 days in Rwanda couple of years back: Kigali, Volcanoes National Park & mountain gorillas a few hours drive from there , Lake Kivu (Gisenyi to Kibuye) and back to Kigali.
p.s.p.s. Only drove (not fly) to Wilson to do some careful spotting (as Brits were arrested for that "crime" year earlier!)