![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/gri-e-banner-1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe development comes as fuel continues to dominate the airline\u2019s carbon footprint<\/a>, accounting for over 60% of total emissions. By anchoring SAF production within its operations, Kenya Airways aims to address both climate impact and long-term fuel cost volatility. According to CEO Allan Kilavuka, localizing SAF supply could enhance not only environmental sustainability but also economic resilience.<\/p>\n The airline has already made early strides. In 2023, Kenya Airways became the first African airline to operate a long-haul flight using SAF<\/a>, flying from Nairobi to Amsterdam. It has also taken steps to green its ground operations, converting 12 service vehicles to electric and launching a waste-to-biodiesel pilot plant.<\/p>\n Beyond SAF, the 2024 report outlines broader progress in embedding sustainability across Kenya Airways\u2019 operations. In the past year, the airline served over 5.2 million passengers, expanded its workforce by 8%, and increased the proportion of women employees to 44%. A 15% reduction in operational waste was recorded, and 12% of ground service equipment is now powered by renewable energy. In the same year, the CEO said they set up a plant to convert waste plastic into biodiesel, which is a lot cleaner than fossil diesel.<\/p>\n Read also:\u00a0Turkish airlines sets global example with sustainability-linked aircraft financing <\/a><\/p>\n The company\u2019s afforestation programme also remains a flagship climate action initiative. To date, over 1.2 million trees have been planted, with plans to replicate this scale annually. Meanwhile, women now represent 8% of KQ\u2019s pilot workforce, nearly double the global average – reflecting targeted efforts to close gender gaps in aviation leadership.<\/p>\n Kenya Airways\u2019 environmental strategy is aligned with the global \u201cFly Net Zero by 2050\u201d<\/a> commitment under the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airline is also a participant in the SkyTeam alliance\u2019s Sustainable Flight Challenge<\/a>, which encourages innovation in low emission flying through competitive benchmarking and shared best practices.<\/p>\n The sustainability report was welcomed by government officials, who praised KQ\u2019s contributions to national climate goals. Kenya has committed to a 32% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 under its Nationally Determined Contributions<\/a> (NDCs). The airline\u2019s SAF initiative, alongside fleet modernization and waste reduction was hailed as a strong example of public-private cooperation for low-carbon development.<\/p>\n Read also:\u00a0GRI unveils machine readable ESG framework as Africa accelerates toward digital reporting<\/a><\/p>\n Kenya Airways\u2019 leadership in SAF comes as other African carriers begin to explore similar solutions. In South Africa, SAA<\/a> is examining SAF production from sugarcane and biomass feedstocks. Ethiopian Airlines has piloted SAF on select flights, while Morocco and Egypt are evaluating industrial capacity to support alternative fuel scaling. These efforts reflect a growing recognition that Africa\u2019s aviation future must align with global climate expectations, even though the continent currently accounts for just 2\u20133% of global aviation emissions.<\/p>\n Significant hurdles still remain; Globally, SAF supply meets only about 2% of demand, and production costs remain four to five times higher than traditional jet fuel. For many African carriers, already contending with high operating costs and currency instability, SAF adoption without supportive policy frameworks or financial incentives is a steep climb.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Fundraising-for-Non-profit-Banner.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n