Jambojet, Kenya’s leading domestic airline, has strengthened its operational capacity with the arrival of an additional Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, bringing its total fleet size to 10 aircraft.
The aircraft was formally received at Jambojet’s main hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, by the airline’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Karanja Ndegwa, alongside senior aviation stakeholders led by JKIA Airport Manager, Dr Rose Koros.
Speaking during the reception ceremony, Mr Ndegwa said the latest aircraft acquisition is part of Jambojet’s long-term fleet expansion strategy, aimed at deepening its footprint in the domestic market. He noted that the airline is targeting a 65% share of Kenya’s domestic aviation market.
“This aircraft is a significant addition to our fleet and will enable us to grow capacity on our key routes such as Kisumu, Eldoret and Diani,” said Mr Ndegwa. “We are also exploring network expansion opportunities within East Africa and beyond as part of our growth strategy.”
In the short term, the newly acquired aircraft — registered as 5Y-JXO — is expected to play a critical role in meeting the surge in passenger demand during the festive season, traditionally the busiest travel period of the year for domestic aviation in Kenya.
The Dash 8 Q400 arrived in Nairobi following a 12,000-kilometre ferry flight from Ontario, Canada, operated by Captain David Kirera, Captain Kassim Mazrui, and First Officer Sharon Murila. The delivery flight included multiple technical stopovers in Iceland, the United Kingdom, Malta, Egypt, and Ethiopia, before its final touchdown at JKIA.
The Dash 8 Q400 is well suited to Jambojet’s domestic and regional operations, offering fuel efficiency, short runway performance, and high-frequency capability, attributes that align with the airline’s low-cost and high-utilisation business model.
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