Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways Announces A Strategic Collaboration

Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), signalling their intention to establish a strategic partnership. This includes a comprehensive codeshare agreement and a boost in flights connecting Kenya’s vibrant East African capital with Qatar’s award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.

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

As part of the partnership, Qatar Airways will introduce a third daily service between Doha and Nairobi, operated in partnership with Kenya Airways. These flights will be available for booking in the coming days. Additionally, during the upcoming winter season, Kenya Airways will operate flights between Mombasa and Doha, marketed by Qatar Airways. The two airlines will also codeshare on each other's networks, providing passengers with seamless connections and more choices worldwide.

Beyond passenger services, both airlines aim to collaborate further in areas such as cargo, airport and ground services, product development, loyalty programmes, procurement, and aircraft 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 alliance showcases the calibre of airlines dedicated to delivering excellence to their global travellers. Kenya Airways has been named Africa’s Leading Airline and Business Class for the fourth consecutive year at the 2025 World Travel Awards.

Qatar Airways, the only five-star airline headquartered in the Middle East and voted the World’s Best Airline in 2025 by Skytrax, operates over 170 weekly flights to 30 African destinations.

Over the past year, Qatar Airways has also streamlined its schedules to enhance connectivity to key global hubs such as Brussels, Guangzhou, London, New York, and Washington, through its award-winning Doha hub