More Kenyans To Fly To Doha In New Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways Deal

Kenya Airways (KQ) and Qatar Airways have formalised their intention to establish a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

As announced by the Kenyan airline on Tuesday, July 1, this agreement paves the way for a far-reaching codeshare arrangement and expanded flight operations between Kenya and Qatar Airways’ globally acclaimed hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha.

The MoU was signed in Doha by the Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, and Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka, KQ revealed in a statement.

Under the partnership, Qatar Airways will introduce a third daily service between Doha and Nairobi, operating under a codeshare arrangement with Kenya Airways. Bookings for these flights are expected to open in the coming days.

A photo of Qatar Airways aircraft at Hamad International Airport in Doha. /BUSINESS TODAY ONLINE

Additionally, the agreement will facilitate the launch of Kenya Airways-operated, Qatar Airways-marketed flights between Mombasa and Doha during the upcoming winter season.

The two carriers will further strengthen collaboration through an extensive codeshare network, offering travellers around the world enhanced connectivity and greater flexibility.

“This partnership is yet another demonstration of our deepening ties with the African region. Today’s agreement, which comes as we celebrate 20 years of flying to Kenya, is coupled with our recognisable record of partnerships across the continent, most recently through our investment in Airlink.

"Our growing collaboration with our African counterparts ensures that Qatar Airways continues to contribute to the continent’s rapidly evolving aviation and economic ecosystem," remarked Mohammed Al-Meer.

“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 earlier this year. The collaboration will also help expedite Kenya Airways’ efforts to boost tourism and air cargo activities, turning these and others into pivotal economic growth propellers for Kenya and the East African region," Kilavuka weighed in.

The signing of the MoU comes shortly after Kenya Airways clinched four prestigious accolades at the 2025 World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. For the fourth year in a row, the airline was named Africa’s Leading Airline 2025, in addition to securing titles for Africa's Leading Airline – Business Class 2025, Africa's Leading Airline Brand 2025, and Africa's Leading Inflight Magazine 2025 (Msafiri).

Qatar Airways, recognised as the only five-star global carrier headquartered in the Middle East and recently crowned World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2025, currently operates more than 170 weekly flights to nearly 30 destinations across Africa.

Over the past year, Qatar Airways has further refined its schedules to several African cities, enhancing connections through its award-winning hub at Hamad International Airport to key global destinations including Brussels, Guangzhou, London, New York, and Washington.

Kenya Airways Partners With VISA

Meanwhile, Kenya Airways and global payments giant VISA have unveiled a strategic co-brand partnership designed to elevate the travel experience while promoting the use of digital payments in aviation. Under this agreement, the two companies will introduce co-branded credit and debit cards offering a suite of exclusive benefits to travellers.

The cards will feature an enhanced rewards program allowing customers to earn redeemable points on purchases, alongside premium travel perks such as lounge access, priority boarding, and increased baggage allowances. Additionally, cardholders will benefit from secure, seamless digital payment options for booking, in-flight purchases, and other travel expenses, plus access to special discounts and promotions on Kenya Airways flights and services.

Set to launch later this year, the co-branded cards will be rolled out through a coordinated effort by Kenya Airways and VISA to ensure smooth adoption and delivery of these new payment solutions.

(Centre Left) Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu and (Centre Right) Visa Vice President & General Manager for East Africa, Chad Pollock, during the official partnership announcement between Kenya Airways and Visa, to deliver innovative technology solutions designed to enhance customer experience. /PHOTO