Kenya Airways Poaches Former Ethiopian Airlines Boss To Run Key Division

Kenya Airways has named aviation heavyweight Fitsum Abadi Gebrehawaria as its new Cargo Director, signaling a bold move to ramp up its freight operations and stake a stronger claim in Africa’s logistics game.

Abadi, a seasoned industry veteran with more than 25 years under his belt, is best known for steering Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, under Ethiopian Airlines, to global prominence.

His résumé includes top-tier leadership roles at Salam Air and Ethiopian Airlines, giving him the kind of international clout Kenya Airways needs as it eyes aggressive cargo growth.

His appointment comes as KQ sets its sights on a major cargo expansion—plans that include acquiring larger freighter aircraft by 2026 to keep pace with a surging demand that's currently growing at 11% annually, double the pre-COVID rate.

Photo of newly-appointed Kenya Airways Cargo Director, Fitsum Abadi Gebrehawaria. /PHOTO

“Mr. Abadi’s appointment represents a significant milestone for Kenya Airways as we delve deeper into our strategic approach to capitalize on emerging opportunities in intra-African trade and global logistics markets.

"His distinguished record in catalyzing cargo market expansion and fostering enduring customer relationships positions him as the ideal leader to guide our division in achieving our most ambitious performance objectives,” stated Allan Kilavuka, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya Airways, in a press statement sent to Viral Tea.

Abadi’s arrival marks a strategic turning point for KQ, as the airline sharpens its focus on operational efficiency and competitive edge in a high-stakes global cargo arena. With Africa poised to become a major logistics hub, Kenya Airways is positioning itself to lead, not follow.

What Does A Cargo Director Do?

A Cargo Director is the strategic head of an airline’s freight operations, responsible for growing and managing the business of transporting goods. Their main role is to shape the overall cargo strategy—identifying new markets, expanding services, and ensuring the airline stays competitive in a fast-changing global logistics landscape.

They also play a key role in fleet planning, helping decide what kind of aircraft are needed for cargo (like dedicated freighters or using space in passenger planes) and how to use them efficiently. Maximizing cargo revenue is central to the job, so they’re heavily involved in pricing, route planning, and capacity management.

On the ground, the Cargo Director oversees cargo handling operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly—from warehouse logistics and ground handling to customs clearance and security. They also build strategic partnerships with freight forwarders, logistics firms, and major clients like e-commerce platforms and global couriers.

Lastly, they ensure the airline complies with all international aviation and trade regulations. In short, the Cargo Director is the one turning cargo into a major profit center while keeping operations tight, fast, and future-ready.

Kenya Airways transports more than 70,000 tons of cargo annually through its main hub at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). At this hub, the airline operates an IATA CEIV-certified warehouse, which is currently undergoing expansion to accommodate the growing demand for handling ambient, chilled, and frozen perishables.

According to Peter Musola, the airline’s Head of Cargo Commercial, Kenya Airways is working on introducing specialized handling lanes within the upgraded facility for high-value exports like meat, fresh produce, and flowers. This aligns with Kenya’s status as Africa’s leading vegetable exporter and one of the world’s top flower exporters.

In terms of fleet growth, Kenya Airways has expressed ongoing interest in Boeing 737-800 freighters and hinted at a future move toward acquiring widebody freighters.

The airline previously selected the 737-800F model over the older 737-300F due to its superior range and suitability for expanding its cargo route network. Speaking at the Air Cargo Africa conference in Nairobi this February, Musola confirmed that the 737-800F remains their preferred aircraft model for future expansion.

A Kenya Airways Cargo plane taxiing at an airport. /KENYA AIRWAYS