Kenya Airways (KQ) has won three awards at the 2025 edition of The Aviation Challenge.
The ceremony, held in Copenhagen, marked the fourth consecutive year the “Pride of Africa” has been recognized for its approach to green flight.
At this year’s challenge, which brings together SkyTeam member airlines to pilot scalable green solutions, Kenya Airways secured the following honors:
- Most Impactful Solution – Catering: Recognizing the airline’s overhaul of its in-flight service.
- Game Changer of the Year: Awarded for systemic shifts in operational sustainability.
- Special Recognition for Collaboration: Celebrating the airline’s ongoing partnership with KLM.
George Kamal, Acting Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement. “This recognition shows our commitment to expanding sustainable practices through innovation and focused action,” Kamal stated. “It reflects the hard work of our people and partners as we continue to embed sustainability into our operations and create real change across the industry.”
The Jambojet team receiving the Most Compelling Story Award
By replacing traditional materials with sustainable alternatives, KQ has integrated green practices into its daily flight operations. Key initiatives include:
- Replacing single-use plastics with bamboo cutlery and paper cups.
- Transitioning from plastic bottles to canned drinks.
- Utilizing recyclable aluminum food packaging.
These changes have resulted in the avoidance of more than 337 tonnes of single-use plastic annually. Beyond the environmental impact, the move is a win for the bottom line, saving the airline over Ksh. 50 million ($380,000+) every year.
The Special Recognition for Collaboration highlighted the unique synergy between Kenya Airways and KLM. Over the last four years, the two carriers have utilized The Aviation Challenge to share intellectual property and co-develop solutions that can be rapidly deployed across their respective networks.
The success extended to the wider KQ family, as subsidiary Jambojet took home the Most Compelling Story award. This honour recognized the low-cost carrier’s ability to communicate complex sustainability efforts in a way that resonates with the public and stakeholders alike.
As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Kenya Airways continues to use its hub at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as a testing ground for the future of African aviation.