Kenya Airways subsidiary Fahari Aviation is laying plans to launch urban air mobility (UAM) services in the East African country. The new division of the airline is beginning joint studies with Eve to develop a business model that could cover both passenger and cargo flights, and it has signed a letter of intent for the purchase of up to 40 of the manufacturer’s four-passenger eVTOL aircraft.
The partners announced the formation of a UAM working group on June 22, extending a collaboration that started in 2021. Their latest agreement provisionally anticipates deliveries of the in-development eVTOL vehicle beginning in 2026.
Fahari Aviation is tasked by Kenya Airways with developing sustainable and more efficient approaches to transportation for such needs as passenger journeys, parcel deliveries, agricultural tasks, and wildlife protection. Its initial focus will be on drone operations, building on an agreement signed last year by Kenya Airways and uncrewed aircraft and UAM infrastructure specialist Skyports.
“Urban air mobility is the future of transport and we are honored to be the champions of this in the region,” said Kenya Airways group managing director and CEO Allan Kilavuka. “The journey to realize the dream of eVTOL vehicles in Kenya is on course, and the partnership with Eve is a key achievement to us as part of the strategy to adopt new technologies...for the sustainable development of Africa.”
Kenya Airways, which is part of the Sky Team Alliance, flies to 41 destinations worldwide, including 34 in Africa. It carries over four million passengers annually and is in the process of modernizing its fleet with aircraft such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
