Middle East Conflict Drives Surge in Kenya Airways Bookings

Kenya Airways has reported a sharp rise in passenger demand, attributing the increase to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The airline said on Monday that seat demand, measured by load factor, has surged from about 70% in January to nearly full capacity, with figures now approaching 100%. Much of this growth is coming from routes connecting Europe, the United States, and Asia.

The ongoing US-Israeli war involving Iran has disrupted global aviation, forcing several airlines to adjust flight paths, reduce stopovers in the Middle East, or cancel services altogether. These changes have led to increased fares and a shift in passenger traffic toward alternative carriers, including Kenya Airways.

Acting CEO George Kamal noted that demand remained steady until February before rising sharply. “We were stable until February, then we saw a significant jump, reaching between 90% and almost 100% capacity,” he said, adding that international routes are now contributing strongly to the airline’s performance.

Meanwhile, Kenya Airways confirmed it currently has about 56 days’ worth of jet fuel and is exploring additional supply options from India, according to Head of Flight Operations Paul Njoroge.