In a strategic move to improve operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs, Kenya Airways has partnered with Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer to implement the Embraer Collaborative Inventory Planning (ECIP) program. This marks a significant milestone for the airline’s maintenance and logistics operations, further reinforcing its longstanding relationship with Embraer.
The agreement covers Kenya Airways’ fleet of 13 Embraer E190 jets and is aimed at optimizing inventory planning and parts management, ultimately reducing the airline’s operational overhead while ensuring maximum fleet availability.
Kenya Airways, which has been an Embraer customer since 2006, operates an extensive intra-African network, with 37 of its 45 destinations located across the continent. The airline serves over 5 million passengers annually and relies heavily on the versatile E190 regional jets for medium-haul routes across Africa.
What Is the ECIP Program?
Embraer’s ECIP (Embraer Collaborative Inventory Planning) is a data-driven, predictive maintenance and logistics solution designed to transform how airlines manage their spare parts inventory. The program enables Embraer to take on much of the financial and logistical burden associated with holding and forecasting spare parts.
Here’s how it works:
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Embraer invests in the inventory, reducing the capital investment burden on the airline.
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Parts are priced on a fixed yearly basis, giving the airline cost predictability.
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Weekly order recommendations are provided based on real-time usage and demand forecasting.
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Performance guarantees are built into the support contract.
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Customized logistics planning and flexible inventory solutions are developed in collaboration with the airline’s technical team.
The ECIP program is particularly beneficial for airlines like Kenya Airways that are under pressure to streamline operations and optimize aircraft availability in a region where parts logistics can be unpredictable and costly.
Strengthening African Aviation Resilience
This partnership is part of a broader trend among African carriers adopting OEM-driven support programs to improve efficiency and service reliability. According to IATA, maintenance and ground operations make up nearly 25–30% of total airline operating costs in Africa, significantly higher than global averages. Unpredictable supply chains, foreign exchange constraints, and limited access to high-quality MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities all contribute to these challenges.
By outsourcing parts planning and logistics to Embraer through ECIP, Kenya Airways stands to gain a competitive edge by improving aircraft turnaround times and reducing grounded aircraft due to parts shortages — a persistent issue in the region.
Embraer, which operates a major logistics hub in Dubai and maintains regional spares pools across Europe, the Americas, and Africa, is uniquely positioned to provide fast and responsive parts support.
“This partnership marks yet another step forward in our transformation journey. By partnering with Embraer on ECIP, we are leveraging data, OEM expertise, and predictive planning to optimize how we manage critical resources and serve our customers better,” said Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka.
The airline’s decision to embrace ECIP also aligns with its broader turnaround strategy, Project Kifaru, which emphasizes financial discipline, operational excellence, and innovation.
From Embraer’s perspective, the partnership reflects the company’s strong commitment to supporting operators in emerging markets.
“Kenya Airways is a long-standing and valued customer. By implementing ECIP, they are taking a forward-thinking step toward operational excellence,” said Johann Bordais, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support. “We are confident this collaboration will enhance their fleet efficiency and reduce costs over time.”
Embraer aircraft particularly the E-Jet family are well-suited to Africa’s aviation landscape. With shorter runways, thinner routes, and growing regional connectivity, the E190 offers a low-cost, fuel-efficient alternative to larger narrow-body jets. Over 60 Embraer aircraft are currently operated by African carriers, including Air Peace (Nigeria), LAM Mozambique, and Airlink (South Africa).
Embraer has made clear its ambition to expand its services footprint on the continent. Last year, the company unveiled a regional support strategy that included the opening of more localized warehousing and enhanced training support for African operators.
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