Kenya Airways (KQ) has taken delivery of its third Embraer 170 Long Range (LR) Jets. According to CEO Titus Naikuni, “this jet is set to boost our capacity in the regional routes particularly in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.” Kenya Airways is also scheduled to take delivery of a Boeing 737-800 this weekend, a move expected to further ease capacity constraints in its regional routes.

Prior to its arrival, the third Embraer jet was at the assembly plant in San Jose dos Campos in Sao Paolo state, Brazil. The Embraer’s maiden journey included a refuelling stop in Recife, Brazil, the Transatlantic cross over to Dakar, followed by a refuelling stop in Douala before the last leg to Nairobi. The aircraft which touched down at 20.49hrs at JKIA after 16 hours flying time was under the command of Captain Nduati Njama and First Officer Njeru Kimotho. Also on board this flight were a team of KQ engineers, KCAA inspectors and the KCAA Director of Air Safety Eng. Ochieng.

The aircraft which bears the registration 5Y-KYH is on lease from GECAS (General Electric Commercial Aviation Services) and will be joining the other 2 jets 5Y-KYK and 5Y-KYJ which are already in service.

The Embraer 170 LR is configured in a comfortable single class layout, sitting 72 passengers. Short ground turnaround time, common parts and low maintenance costs are among the key benefits of the Embraer aircraft.  In an environment of ever increasing oil prices, the high fuel efficiency of the E170 is an asset to better maximize revenue