Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways Sign Strategic Partnership to Boost Connectivity and Expand Flights

Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways have signed a Memorandum of  Understanding (MoU), confirming the intention to enter a strategic partnership which will include a comprehensive codeshare agreement and increased flights between the East African state  and Qatar Airways’ award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport. 

The MoU signing took place today in Doha between Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive  Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO,  Mr. Allan Kilavuka. 

The partnership will see Qatar Airways introducing a third daily frequency between Doha and  Nairobi in codeshare with Kenya Airways, with flights due to be available for booking over the  coming days. The new offering will be complemented by the launch of Kenya Airways operated, and Qatar Airways marketed, flights between Mombasa and Doha during the coming winter  season. The two airlines will also codeshare on both networks to offer seamless connections and greater choice for travellers from around the world.  

Additionally, both Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways will look to develop collaboration in other  parts of the business, including cargo, airport and ground services, product development, loyalty  programmes, procurement as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul. 

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “This  partnership is yet another demonstration of our deepening ties with the African region. Today’s  agreement – which comes as we celebrate 20 years of flying to Kenya – is coupled with our  recognisable record of partnerships across the continent, most recently through our investment  in Airlink. Our growing collaboration with our African counterparts ensures that Qatar Airways  continues to contribute to the continent’s rapidly evolving aviation and economic ecosystem.” 

Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka, said: “This partnership  perfectly aligns with our airline’s robust turnaround strategy, which saw Kenya Airways’ return to  profit for the first time in more than a decade earlier this year. The collaboration will also help  expedite Kenya Airways’ efforts to boost tourism and air cargo activities, turning these and others into pivotal economic growth propellers for Kenya and the East Africa region.”

The partnership highlights two leading airlines collaborating to bring excellence to their global  community of travellers. Kenya Airways, for the fourth consecutive year, has been recognised  as Africa’s Leading Airline and Business Class by the World Travel Awards 2025. 

Qatar Airways – the only five-star global airline based in the Middle East and the reigning World’s  Best Airline as voted by Skytrax in 2025 – offers over 170 weekly flights to 30 cities across Africa. 

Over the past year, Qatar Airways has also optimised its schedule in most African destinations  to improve connectivity to key destinations, including Brussels, Guangzhou, London, New York,  and Washington through its award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport.

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