Kenya Airways Operates First Intra-African Flight with SAF

Kenya Airways has operated the first intra-African flight using 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on the Nairobi-Cape Town route.

The flight used SAF attributes under a mass balance system, in line with international standards by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

This milestone marks a step in reducing the carbon footprint of air travel in Africa. The SAF attributes are verified through global certification schemes that ensure traceability and transparency.

The fuel is made from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) feedstocks, such as used cooking oil and other waste materials, which can achieve up to 85% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel when produced and used directly.

By applying these verified SAF attributes, the airline has achieved a 50% SAF-equivalent operation on the Nairobi–Cape Town route. This represents a meaningful step in exploring realistic and measurable ways to reduce emissions across its network.

The flight was organized as part of the SkyTeam Aviation Challenge 2025 (TAC) under the theme “Impact”, which celebrates practical actions that promote sustainability in aviation.

Onboard, Kenya Airways introduced several initiatives under four focus areas:

• Inflight Products: Upcycled blanket bags and headset covers, and reusable cutlery to reduce waste.

• Catering: Locally sourced Kenyan coffee and tea, canned beverages instead of plastic bottles, and reusable hot drink cups.

• Waste Management: Recycling of onboard waste and reusing service items.

• People: Cabin crew involvement in creating awareness among passengers about responsible practices.

Hellen Mwariri, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, noted :“This flight shows what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation. It’s a step toward practical solutions that reduce our impact while keeping operations efficient.”

Kenya Airways continues to work with government agencies, local innovators, and international partners, including IATA, SkyTeam, and AFRAA, to help build local SAF production capacity in Kenya by 2026.