Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority has authorized the Boeing 737 MAX to once again fly in Kenyan skies after being grounded for nearly two years. This MAX ungrounding is just the latest around the world, with the most recent decision coming from the United Arab Emirates. While none of Kenya’s carriers operate the MAX, this decision paves the way for carriers like Ethiopian Airlines to fly the jet into the country – once it is recertified in Ethiopia.
According to Business Daily Africa, the Civil Aviation Authority of Kenya is once again permitting the 737 MAX to fly into and through Kenyan airspace. The type faced a Chinese-led worldwide grounding in March of 2019 following the fatal crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302.
“The airlines are free to fly Boeing 737 Max to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, there are no restrictions that we are going to impose,” -Gilbert Kibe, Director-General, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
This decision will not impact any of Kenya’s carriers as none of them operate the 737 MAX. The largest of these carriers, Kenya Airways, does operate the Boeing 737, but these aircraft are older variants. According to Planespotters.net, the airline has two 737-700s, eight -800s, and two -300 freighters.
Meanwhile, Kenya Airways subsidiary, Jambojet operates an all-Dash 8-400 fleet of just six aircraft. Most other operators in Kenya fly smaller aircraft, also suited for regional operations.
Kenya’s MAX recertification does, however, allow other carriers to fly the MAX into Kenya.
Two examples of this would be Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines, which both have the jet in their fleets. Of course, the type would need to also be recertified in these airline’s respective home countries. Furthermore, Turkish Airlines would need the civil aviation authorities of all the countries in between Turkey and Kenya to also allow the type to fly through their respective airspace.
Now that the country has recertified the aircraft, this may give home airline Kenya Airways the confidence to order the jet. Initially, Kenya Airways was considering ordering the 737 MAX 8 before the two accidents.
An order of new MAX jets would replace the airline’s aging 737-700s while adding slightly more capacity.
“The only option that we have planned for is the Boeing 737 MAX 8 because this will make it easier for us to conduct training and maintenance of the aircraft,” -Michael Joseph, Chairman, Kenya Airways (2019).
With numerous airlines having already resumed MAX operations and more and more countries recertifying the jet, the aircraft’s popularity might just pick up as the current health crisis dies down.
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