Cheaper Fares? Why An Airline Fleet Expansion Should Matter To You

Many Kenyans may have not cared much about Kenya Airways (KQ) expanding its fleet with the acquisition of a Boeing 737-800 NG passenger aircraft on Wednesday, February 19, but this is a big deal in the aviation sector, and for you reading this article.

Before Wednesday, the last time KQ expanded its fleet of passenger aircraft was 10 years ago in 2015 when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner nicknamed 'Magical Kenya', arrived at the Kenya Airways’ facilities in April 2015, new from Boeing’s facilities in Charleston, United States (US), bringing the tally of 787s on KQ's fleet currently to nine.

The latest expansion brings the total number of aircraft in the national carrier's fleet to 35, an addition which is part of KQ's ongoing fleet expansion strategy, which underscores the airline's commitment to increasing capacity, enhancing operational efficiency, and meeting the growing demand for air travel across its network.

So why should you care about the fleet expansion of an airline? Depending on your perspective and how you interact with air travel, Viral Tea examines this below:

More Travel Options & Routes

New aircraft often mean new destinations or more frequent flights on existing routes, giving one better choice for travel. It could mean nonstop flights where there were previously layovers, making your trips more convenient.

Reports indicate that KQ is set to acquire more than 50 aircraft over the next five years in an ambitious expansion strategy to enhance service quality and increase the number of destinations it serves. The airline currently operates a mix of Boeing and Embraer aircraft, catering to both short-haul and long-haul routes.

2. Better Travel Experience

Airlines often acquire modern planes with more comfortable seating, better entertainment systems, and improved in-flight Wi-Fi, meeting the demands of Gen Z travellers among others obsessed with a real-time, digital environment.

Newer planes are usually quieter, more spacious, and more fuel-efficient, leading to a smoother experience, particularly on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes.

3. Lower Fares

More planes usually mean more competition on routes, which can lead to cheaper ticket prices as airlines try to fill seats.

This is notably the case during peak air travel seasons where high demand can prompt airlines to utilise planes with bigger passenger capacity on routes that would otherwise serve aircraft purposed for short and medium-haul routes.

Additionally, cheaper ticket prices could attract more passengers, thus leading to more profits for the airlines themselves. The Kenyan aviation sector is currently facing intense competition from other modes of transport such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) particularly on the popular Nairobi-Mombasa route, offering cheaper fares for travellers despite longer travel times.

Furthermore, fuel-efficient planes help reduce operating costs, and some of those savings may be passed on to customers.

4. Sustainability & Environmental Impact

Many airlines invest in fuel-efficient, eco-friendly aircraft, which reduces their carbon footprint. If you care about sustainable travel, this could be a step in the right direction.

Airlines around the world are beginning to embrace Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces emissions from air transportation. SAF can be blended at different levels with limits between 10% and 50%, depending on the feedstock and how the fuel is produced.

Fuel-efficient aircraft can lead to significant cost savings over the long term, as less fuel is required to operate each flight. This can translate into lower ticket prices for passengers, as well as improved profitability for airlines.

5. Economic & Job Impact

Airline fleet expansion is a benefit that can trickle down to the airline's workforce itself. With more new arrivals in terms of aircraft, new job opportunities are opened up.

Pilots, as well as flight attendants, are not the only beneficiaries; new aircraft can also open opportunities for ground crew handling aircraft parked at airports as well as airport workers in baggage services and, catering among others, as well as engineers who, just like pilots, can be trained on the inner workings of new aircraft.

Moreover, newer planes flying to expanded destinations can benefit local economies where new routes are launched, as well as create trade opportunities between the hub destinations and the new routes, with the potential to generate revenue between either regional or international destinations. If you’re in an industry related to travel or logistics, this could be good for business.

Tourists disembarking from the inaugural Air Asia flight to Nairobi on November 15, 2024. /KENYA AIRPORTS AUTHORITY