Kenya Airways Bags 2 Awards In Global Aviation Challenge

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) announced on Thursday, January 16 that it emerged as a top performer at the 2024 SkyTeam Aviation Challenge, earning accolades for its groundbreaking sustainability initiatives.

According to a press release, Kenya Airways won two prestigious awards: Best Scaled Catering Solution and Best Approach to Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). 

The airline was awarded in the Best Scaled Catering Solution category,  recognising the airline for its innovative efforts to reduce single-use plastics onboard. By introducing traditional African bread baskets and aluminium food containers in economy class, the airline is set to eliminate 24 tonnes of plastic waste annually.

In the Best Approach to Scaling SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) category, KQ was commended for its partnership with a local SAF producer to establish Kenya’s first SAF production plant.

Kenya Airways staff celebrate with an award during the 2024 SkyTeam Aviation Challenge awards ceremony in Saudi Arabia. /HANDOUT

This initiative will deliver affordable SAF to Kenya and the region, create jobs for the Kwale County community, and boost Kenya’s tree cover by cultivating energy seed plants on arid and degraded lands. 

Additionally, Kenya Airways received recognition in other categories that included: Best Team Collaboration for the Sustainability Champions program, which fosters cross-departmental collaboration; Best Climate Literacy for the multi-level sustainability training programs; and special recognition in Scaling SAF, Best Catering Solution, and Airline Participation.  

The winners of the SkyTeam Aviation Challenge 2024 were announced at an awards ceremony held in  Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on January 14-15 2024. 

Reflecting on the achievement, Kenya Airways CEO, Allan Kilavuka remarked, “The wins and recognition at the 2024 Aviation Challenge are testament to our commitment to sustainability and innovation.

"By embracing sustainable aviation fuel, reducing single-use plastics, and fostering collaboration across teams,  we are driving meaningful change for the aviation industry and our planet," he remarked.

This year’s competition marked the third edition of the prestigious SkyTeam Aviation Challenge, an annual event organized by the SkyTeam Alliance to recognize innovative solutions that address critical challenges in the aviation industry. The 2024 challenge focused on scaling previously implemented solutions to drive sustainable impact. 

Kenya Airways’ participation included successfully operating four long-haul flights—Nairobi to New York,  Amsterdam, Paris, and London—under sustainability-focused parameters.

Key efforts included sustainable in-flight catering, geo-optimisation of ground operations, e-mobility solutions for passenger transport, a “travel light” policy encouraging passengers to minimise baggage weight, and waste management initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly operations. 

"Kenya Airways’ participation is part of a broader commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship,  and nurturing talent, further positioning the airline as a global leader in sustainable aviation," read the statement in part.

The awards add to KQ's impressive showing in recent months. On November 24, KQ was awarded Africa's Best Airline Website 2024 and Africa's Best Airline App 2024 at the 4th Annual World Travel Tech Awards.