
Kenya Airways has marked a transformative day with two major strategic partnerships that demonstrate the airline’s commitment to expanding global reach and enhancing customer digital experiences. These agreements with Qatar Airways and Visa showcase how African carriers leverage technology and international collaboration to drive growth.
Comprehensive Codeshare Agreement Opens New Routes
Kenya Airways and Qatar Airways formalized their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Doha, establishing a comprehensive codeshare agreement that expands connectivity between Kenya and Qatar’s award-winning Hamad International Airport hub. This alliance comes as Qatar Airways celebrates 20 years of service to Kenya.
The partnership introduces immediate operational changes, with Qatar Airways launching a third daily frequency between Doha and Nairobi in codeshare with Kenya Airways. The collaboration extends to seasonal operations, with Kenya Airways planning flights between Mombasa and Doha during the upcoming winter season, marketed under Qatar Airways’ brand.
Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, emphasized alignment with the airline’s turnaround strategy. “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,” he stated. The collaboration is expected to boost tourism and air cargo activities, serving as economic growth drivers for Kenya and East Africa.
Beyond Flight Operations: Comprehensive Business Collaboration
The partnership extends beyond passenger services, encompassing cargo operations, airport and ground services, loyalty programs, procurement, and maintenance services. This holistic approach mirrors successful airline partnership strategies that focus on operational efficiency and cost optimization.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, highlighted the strategic significance within the broader African context. The timing coincides with Kenya Airways’ recent recognition at the 2025 World Travel Awards, securing four consecutive honors including Africa’s Leading Airline 2025.
Revolutionary Digital Payment Partnership with Visa
Simultaneously, Kenya Airways announced a strategic co-brand agreement with Visa to introduce innovative payment solutions that transform the travel experience while promoting digital payment adoption in aviation. This partnership reflects the growing trend of digital financial services adoption across Africa, where mobile-first consumers drive significant payment preference changes.

The collaboration introduces co-branded credit and debit cards offering enhanced rewards programs, allowing cardholders to earn points on every purchase, redeemable for flights, upgrades, and travel-related services. Cards provide exclusive travel benefits including airport lounge access, priority boarding, and additional baggage allowances.
Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways, expressed enthusiasm about the technological advancement. “We are excited to join forces with Visa to deliver modern digital payment options that improve every step of the journey from booking to boarding,” he stated.
Strategic Positioning in Competitive Markets
Both partnerships position Kenya Airways strategically within increasingly competitive markets. The Qatar Airways alliance strengthens the carrier’s position in Middle East and global connectivity spheres, while the Visa partnership places it at the forefront of fintech innovation in African aviation.
These moves support Kenya Airways’ financial recovery, having reported its first profit in over a decade. The partnerships represent diversified revenue streams and operational efficiencies supporting long-term sustainability goals. The co-branded cards launch later this year, aligning with broader digital transformation initiatives across Kenya’s aviation and financial services sectors.
The success of these initiatives could serve as a blueprint for other African carriers seeking to expand reach and enhance customer experiences through strategic partnerships and technology adoption. As the aviation industry continues evolving post-pandemic, such collaborations demonstrate how carriers leverage partnerships to achieve growth objectives while improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.