Allan Kilavuka, the chief executive of Kenya Airways, is stepping down after six years at the helm of the troubled national carrier, the airline announced Tuesday.
Kilavuka, who has led the company since April 2020, will begin terminal leave immediately ahead of the formal end of his contract in April 2026. Chief Operating Officer Captain George Kamal has been named acting group managing director and CEO, effective immediately. A search for a permanent successor is already underway.
Kilavuka’s departure marks the conclusion of a chapter characterized by significant crises and a hard-won financial turnaround for the airline, known as “The Pride of Africa.”
Steered through pandemic and historic turnaround
Taking over just as the COVID-19 pandemic devastated global aviation, Kilavuka faced immediate and severe challenges. Travel restrictions grounded fleets worldwide, and Kenya Airways—already burdened by years of losses and heavy debt—teetered on the edge of collapse.
Under his leadership, however, the carrier posted an after-tax profit of 5.4 billion Kenyan shillings ($42 million) for the fiscal year 2024, its first annual profit in nearly a decade and a remarkable reversal from the 22.7 billion shilling loss recorded in 2023.
In a statement, the board commended Kilavuka’s “commitment, dedication, honor, and diligence” in navigating the airline through the pandemic and its subsequent recovery. They highlighted his success in boosting revenues and freight volumes while restoring operational stability after years of uncertainty about the company’s viability.
Strikes, shortages and persistent headwinds
The journey was not without challenges. In November 2022, a week-long pilots’ strike—one of the most disruptive in the airline’s history—grounded flights and stranded thousands of passengers, costing the airline hundreds of millions of shillings daily.
More recently, global supply-chain bottlenecks and acute shortages of aircraft spare parts have kept several planes grounded longer than planned, sharply limiting capacity. These issues persisted into 2025, contributing to a return to operating losses in the first half of the year despite rising passenger demand.
Kilavuka had repeatedly flagged the parts crisis as a significant constraint on the airline’s recovery efforts.
From GE to national carrier
Kilavuka, a seasoned aviation executive, joined Kenya Airways from within the group. Before his appointment as group CEO, he led Jambojet, the airline’s successful low-cost subsidiary. Earlier in his career, he served as General Electric’s head of operations for sub-Saharan Africa in the aerospace division.
He succeeded Sebastian Mikosz, a Polish executive who resigned in 2019 after less than two years, citing frustration with government interference in the airline’s management.
Experienced pilot takes interim reins
Captain George Kamal, the incoming acting chief, brings extensive operational expertise. A commercially trained pilot, he holds a master’s degree in aviation management and a PhD in business administration.
His career includes leadership roles at several Middle Eastern carriers: he previously served as chief operations officer at Iraqi Airways, head of operations at Air Arabia, and held senior positions in quality and flight operations at Etihad Airways and EgyptAir, where he began his flying career.
The board pledged full support for Kamal during the transition period and expressed confidence in his ability to maintain the momentum.
Kenya Airways, majority-owned by the Kenyan government and partly by Air France-KLM, continues to contend with a heavy debt load and negative equity despite achieving profitability in 2024. Industry observers say the appointment of a permanent CEO will be crucial as the carrier pursues fleet modernization and network expansion plans.
Kilavuka’s exit signifies the end of an era for one of Africa’s flagship airlines, an era marked by resilience in the face of persistent adversity.
