Kenya Airways to Battle Ethiopia, Uganda Airlines at Gatwick, London in Push for UK Market
- KQ will begin flights to London’s Gatwick Airport, expanding its UK footprint beyond the existing daily service to Heathrow
- KQ told TUKO.co.ke that the new route was sought to enhance customer travel flexibility and tap into cargo opportunities
- KQ’s expansion comes amid increased competition from Uganda Airlines, which recently launched direct flights to Gatwick, and Ethiopia Airlines
Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.
Kenya Airways (KQ) is intensifying its competition with regional rivals Ethiopia Airlines and Uganda Airlines.
Source: Twitter
KQ is set to launch a new route to London’s Gatwick Airport, marking a significant expansion of its UK footprint beyond its existing daily service to Heathrow in London.
In an exclusive statement to TUKO.co.ke, the airline said the move is both a strategic and customer-driven decision aimed at increasing travel flexibility, optimising cargo opportunities, and tapping into Gatwick’s operational advantages.
“The expansion to Gatwick is aimed to provide our customers with more travel options and flexibility. Gatwick offers operational efficiencies that enhance the customer experience, for example, faster immigration processes and reduced congestion,” said Kenya Airways.
KQ added that Gatwick’s competitive cost structure and streamlined logistics made it an attractive alternative for both passenger and cargo services.
“For cargo, the decision was driven by direct requests from our customers. It supports KQ's broader strategy to grow its presence in the London market, which remains a key focus due to strong historical and commercial ties between Kenya and the UK,” KQ told TUKO.co.ke.
East Africa airlines battle for UK market
Kenya Airways’ move comes at a time when Uganda Airlines has made a bold entry into the UK market, launching direct flights from Entebbe to London, Gatwick.
Ethiopia Airlines, meanwhile, has long maintained a dominant presence in Europe with its well-established network through Addis Ababa.
However, Kenya Airways is confident in its competitive edge.
“KQ is currently the only sub-Saharan African airline offering multiple UK destinations, giving us a unique competitive advantage. Our extensive African network via Nairobi enhances connectivity, offering seamless onward travel to numerous cities across the continent.”
The airline emphasised that service quality remains its strongest differentiator in the face of intensifying regional competition.
“We remain committed to maintaining our high standards of service quality, this is a key differentiator for us and one we won’t compromise on."
Boosting KQ's connectivity through new partnerships
To strengthen its position on the new Gatwick route, Kenya Airways is also expanding its network reach through key partnerships.
It has already signed a codeshare agreement with Spain’s Air Europa, which enables onward connections between Gatwick and Madrid, and between Gatwick and Nairobi.
“We are also exploring interline partnerships with carriers such as WestJet (Canada), Delta, and JetBlue to further enhance our network reach beyond Gatwick.”
Source: Twitter
The launch of Gatwick flights comes at a time when Kenya Airways has been making recovery strides from post-pandemic headwinds and expand its long-haul market share.
The UK remains one of Kenya’s top tourism and trade partners, and Gatwick’s inclusion in KQ’s route network positions the airline to better serve both leisure and business travellers.
Kenya Airways financial performance
In other news, Kenya Airways (KQ) recorded a remarkable financial turnaround in 2024, posting a net profit of KSh 5.4 billion.
This was a sharp recovery from a KSh 22.7 billion loss in 2023. The airline’s total income rose to KSh 188.5 billion, driven by increased passenger numbers, cost-cutting measures, and foreign exchange gains.
CEO Allan Kilavuka and Chairman Michael Joseph credited the success to operational discipline, sustainability efforts, and strategic restructuring aimed at attracting investors and boosting long-term growth.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
