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Kenya Ratifies Order for 10 E190s
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: Kenya Airways has finalized the contract for the acquisition of 10 Embraer E190s, the airline announced last month.
Word Count: 234
Kenya Airways has finalized the contract for the acquisition of 10 Embraer E190s, the airline announced last month. The agreement completes contract negotiations following the signing of a letter of intent during June’s Paris Air Show. The deal also includes purchase rights for 16 of any type from the E-Jet series.
Scheduled for first delivery during next year’s third quarter, Kenya Airways’ E190s will arrive in Nairobi configured in a dual-class, 96-seat cabin configuration, featuring 12 business-class seats. Kenya Airways plans to use the airplanes as part of an aggressive growth strategy centered on an aspiration to fly to all African capital cities by the end of 2013.
The new contract raises the number of E-Jets ordered by Kenya Airways to 20, including aircraft acquired through leasing companies. The airline now leases five E170s and two E190s and expects delivery of three more E190s under the terms of a previous order. “The Embraer 190 fleet will be key in ensuring Kenya Airways becomes the leading carrier on the continent, interlinking African cities and, through our Nairobi hub, connecting Africa to the world,” said Dr. Titus Naikuni, group managing director and chief executive of Kenya Airways. “The Embraer 190’s excellent range, efficiency, size and superior level [of] comfort will allow us to increase frequencies and start new routes along with improving the overall passenger flying experience throughout Africa.”