Australia Receives First Kenyan-Registered Aircraft
The aircraft, a Boeing 767 freighter, touched down at Brisbane, Australia, on May 27, 2025, having flown from Hong Kong.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
A cargo aircraft belonging to Astral Aviation became the first Kenyan-registered aircraft operated and owned by a Kenyan to land in Australia.
The aircraft, a Boeing 767 freighter, touched down at Brisbane, Australia, on May 27, 2025, having flown from Hong Kong.
A 47-second clip seen by Viral Tea showed the plane, coated fully in white, aside from its vivid red lettering and logo, taxiing to its parking slot.
This event is deemed a historic milestone given that no Kenyan aircraft is on record to have landed in Australia, a testament to the continuous growth of aviation in Kenya.
A fleet of Astral Aviation planes. /ASTRAL AVIATION
About Astral Aviation
Astral Aviation is a Kenyan-based cargo airline headquartered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
Established in November 2000, the airline commenced operations in January 2001 after securing its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) and Air Service License (ASL) from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). In November 2006, it was designated as a cargo airline by Kenya's Ministry of Transport.
The airline operates scheduled and non-scheduled cargo charters, including humanitarian aid flights, across regional destinations in Africa, Asia, and Europe, from its primary base at JKIA. As of 2023, Astral Aviation's network includes over 50 destinations, with hubs in Nairobi, Dubai, Johannesburg, and Liège.
Astral Aviation's fleet comprises various aircraft, including Boeing 767- 200F, Boeing 767- 300F, Boeing 727- 200F, and Boeing 737- 400F, catering to a range of cargo capacities.
The airline has also been recognised for its services, receiving the "Africa All-Cargo Carrier of the Year" award multiple times, including in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2023.
In terms of ownership, Astral Aviation is fully Kenyan-owned; Sanjeev S. Gadhia serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is a significant stakeholder in the company.
To comply with Kenyan regulations, Gadhia plans to retain at least 51 per cent ownership, while considering strategic investors for the remaining shares to support the airline's expansion plans.
Astral Aviation has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability by planning to replace older aircraft with more fuel-efficient models, such as transitioning from Boeing 727s to Boeing 737-800Fs and from Boeing 767s to Airbus A330-300Fs.
Additionally, the airline is exploring the use of sustainable aviation fuels and has initiated drone-based reforestation projects in Kenya through its subsidiary, Astral Aerial Solutions.
Overall, Astral Aviation stands as a prominent player in Africa's cargo aviation sector, combining a robust operational network with forward-looking strategies in sustainability and technological innovation.
The number of Kenyan-owned aircraft has grown steadily over the years. Initially dominated by government and agricultural operations, ownership has diversified to include more private individuals, businesses, and charter operators, driven by economic development, a booming tourism industry, and improved regional connectivity.
This event thus highlights Kenya’s growing influence in the global air cargo industry and emphasises Astral Aviation’s key role in linking African markets to international trade networks.
After this, Kenyans should begin to dream of a Kenyan-registered passenger aircraft landing in Australia, either through a direct flight or via stopover routes.
Photo of goods being loaded onto a cargo plane. /HAPA KENYA
