Kenya Airways Set to Return Grounded Boeing 787s to Service

This is cheering news. Kenya Airways has announced that one of its three grounded Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft is set to return to service. The aircraft is scheduled to return to service on 22 July, 2025.

In an official statement released today, 14 July 2025 and signed by Allan Kilavuka, its Group Managing Director & CEO, Kenya Airways said that the development is a significant milestone for its fleet and operations.

"The return of the Dreamliner will not only alleviate the capacity constraints that had shrunk by 20% due to the grounding but also enhance our capacity back to 85%, ensuring a smoother travel experience for our customers."

Kenya Airways says it anticipates having the second Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft back into commercial service on 25 September, 2025, and the third one by 19 December, 2025.

According to the statement, the airline plans to increase its seat capacity with the addition of 3 narrow-body aircraft, which will increase its seat capacity by offering an additional 528 seats and belly capacity increase by 239% by Q4 of 2025.

"With safety as the cornerstone of our operations and travel demand surging during this time, we are eager to provide our passengers with additional capacity and comfort. We look forward to welcoming travellers back aboard our Dreamliner. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Kenya Airways technical team and our partners for their unwavering dedication and diligent efforts in getting this aircraft back into service. Your hard work is truly appreciated."

"Despite the recent challenges, including flight delays, cancellations, and schedule changes, we want you to know that we are doing everything possible to ensure that these are being resolved quickly for your convenience and comfort. We understand the impact these issues can have on your travel plans, and we are committed to addressing them promptly. These issues have been exacerbated by delays in acquiring necessary parts, which have kept some planes grounded longer than anticipated. However, we are optimising our network and addressing any concerns that arise promptly."

"Our commitment to your safety and well-being is unwavering, and we are dedicated to providing you with the best possible service. We appreciate your continued understanding and support during this period," Kilavuka concluded.

It will be recalled that, since late 2024, Kenya Airways has had three of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft grounded due to industry supply chain constraints and engine unavailability.