Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) has taken delivery of its first B737-800 freighter and plans to add a second unit of the type by February 2024.

"With the addition of this freighter, Kenya Airways will now offer increased cargo capacity to existing routes as well as new cargo destinations and we encourage the market to take advantage of the new provision to maximise the trade opportunities and potential for the region," CEO and Group Managing Director Allan Kilavuka said.

The airline did not reveal the identity of the aircraft and did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment. Kilavuka recently revealed the plans to add two B737-800 freighters in an exclusive interview with ch-aviation.

Kenya Airways said it would utilise the aircraft on routes to destinations such as Sharjah, Dubai World Central, Jeddah International, Riyadh, Dakar Blaise Diagne International, Lagos, N'Djamena, Mogadishu, Mumbai International, Freetown, and Monrovia Roberts. The two -800 freighters will join the carrier's existing B737-300(SF)s.