Kenya Airways has signed a partnership with FedEx to support the courier giant’s cargo handling operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in a move aimed at strengthening Nairobi’s position as a major African freight gateway.
Under the agreement, Kenya Airways will provide ground handling support through its subsidiary, Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited (KAHL), which manages cargo handling and warehousing services at the airport.
The operation covers imports, exports, transit freight and specialist cargo, including pharmaceuticals and temperature-sensitive perishables such as flowers and fresh produce.
Kenya Airways acting group chief executive George Kamal said the partnership demonstrated confidence in the airline’s international cargo handling capabilities.
“This partnership with FedEx is a strong validation of Kenya Airways’ capability to deliver world-class ground handling services that meet international standards,” he said.
He added that the agreement would reinforce Nairobi’s role as a strategic aviation and logistics hub connecting Africa with Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.
“As global trade patterns continue to evolve, we are positioning JKIA at the centre of efficient, reliable and integrated cargo movement across the continent,” Mr Kamal said.
The partnership is also expected to support Kenya’s wider ambition of establishing JKIA as East Africa’s leading cargo consolidation and distribution centre, particularly as trade volumes increase under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Kenya is one of Africa’s largest exporters of airfreighted goods, with horticultural products, pharmaceuticals and other high-value perishables forming a key part of its export economy.
In 2023, Kenya Airways and its Nairobi hub received accreditation under the International Air Transport Association Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO), an industry certification for operational safety and handling standards.
