Jambojet Wins “Most Compelling Story” Award at The Aviation Challenge

Jambojet has been awarded the winner for the “Most Compelling Story” at the Aviation Challenge, in recognition of the collaboration between the airline and Plastiki Rafiki, a people-powered circular economy initiative that turns plastic waste into practical products while supporting education and community livelihoods.

The initiative is built on Jambojet’s partnership with Plastiki Rafiki, a student-led club from the International School of Kenya, and skilled artisans from Mathare. Plastic waste collected from beach clean-ups, operations, airport recycling points, and employee collection was upcycled into keychains and fridge magnets, diverting over 1,000 kilograms of plastic from landfill in the pilot project.

While Jambojet has long conducted beach clean-ups along the coast, the challenge has always been what happens next. Plastiki Rafiki provided the missing link, turning collected plastic from a disposal problem into a valuable resource.

The initiative also offered hands-on sustainability experience for 10 students and income opportunities for 15 artisans, demonstrating how learning, livelihoods, and action can create meaningful impact.

Beyond Plastiki Rafiki, Jambojet’s 2025 Aviation Challenge participation focused on practical operational improvements and meaningful engagement. These included single-engine taxiing, APU shutdowns supported by increased GPU availability, and the use of Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) to reduce fuel burn where operationally feasible.

Passenger engagement complemented these efforts through airport sustainability quizzes, in-flight announcements that explained the initiatives, and the distribution of seeded notebooks and bookmarks, small prompts designed to spark continued action long after landing.

Acknowledging the award, Jambojet MD & CEO, Karanja Ndegwa, said, “We are proud of our partnership with Plastiki Rafiki for The Aviation Challenge, a testament to our constant innovation and commitment to sustainability. Each year, we are challenged to not only elevate our service but also to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.”

Jambojet also expanded its aviation textile upcycling initiative through collaboration with Kenya Airways (KQ). Retired seat covers, uniforms, and cabin textiles from both airlines were transformed into travel-inspired products.

The collaboration also introduced a jointly developed Business Development Program, equipping designers and community groups with skills in sustainable production and entrepreneurship, turning creativity into viable, circular businesses.

Knowledge sharing remained a key pillar of Jambojet’s approach. Through its engagement with the East African School of Aviation (EASA), the airline hosted hands-on maintenance exposure sessions that connected aircraft engineering, operational efficiency, and sustainability in real-world practice.

The Aviation Challenge is a global initiative designed to accelerate sustainable innovation and knowledge sharing in the aviation industry, with 22 airlines participating in 2025. A total of 224 solutions and initiatives were submitted, with awards given across 18 categories.