Qatar Airways grows African reach as KQ soars in Asia

• Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways have agreed to further expand existing codeshare flights, adding 19 new destinations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
• The Gulf carrier customers have secured streamlined access to Lilongwe, Livingstone, Juba, Nampula, Ndola, and Victoria Falls via KQ’s Nairobi hub.
• KQ customers will connect seamlessly to Bahrain, Colombo, Islamabad, Karachi, Malé, Singapore, and Tokyo Narita via Hamad International Airport in Doha.
• New codeshare tickets will be made available starting 21st October for flights from 26th October.

A new codeshare partnership agreement between Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways (KQ) is poised to improve air travel across Africa with the Gulf carrier securing access to Lilongwe, Livingstone, Juba, Nampula, Ndola, and Victoria Falls via Nairobi.

In a market update made on Wednesday, Qatar Airways and Kenya Airways have agreed to further expand existing codeshare flights, adding 19 new destinations across both airlines.

While Qatar Airways customers will now access deeper across Africa via KQ, Kenya’s flag carrier will see its customers travel with ease to 10 new destinations across the Middle East and Asia. In the deal, which tickets will be made available starting 21st October for flights from 26th October, KQ customers will connect seamlessly to Bahrain, Colombo, Islamabad, Karachi, Malé, Singapore, and Tokyo Narita via Hamad International Airport in Doha.

“We are pleased with the significant progress made in just a few months since the partnership initiated with Kenya Airways, and this enhancement is a testament of the collaborative efforts which further strengthens our presence in Kenya and the African continent. The recent addition of Qatar Airways’ third daily flight to Nairobi also serves as another cornerstone of this partnership that is driven by strong demand from passengers seeking reliable and seamless connectivity,” stated Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori.

Qatar Airways—Kenya Airways codeshare partnership

The Doha-based carrier noted that its partnership with KQ will enable it further expand its footprint within the African continent, providing passengers from more than 170 destinations across the globe with easier access to key leisure and business destinations served by KQ.

“We are excited to embark on this new chapter of our partnership with Qatar Airways. This partnership will significantly enhance connectivity especially across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, expanding our flight offerings, and opening up a world of new destinations for our customers to explore. Together with Qatar Airways, we are dedicated to providing our customers with easy access to a variety of destinations, paired with better connectivity and a seamless travel experience,” noted KQ’s Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu.

Qatar Airway’s home address Hamad International Airport has been named the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for 11 consecutive years and serves key travel destinations critical for KQ’s expansion in Asia and the Middle East. Additionally, the deal will see Qatar Airways Privilege Club members earn Avios on the codeshare flights operated by Kenya Airways.

What’s more, the two airlines said they will continue their cooperation on codeshares, airport operations, lounges, sustainability and procurement while exploring other opportunities for growth including network development, cargo, aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul.

Read also: Kenya Airways, South African Airways sign codeshare deal ahead of formation of pan-african airline

Aviation in Africa

While players in air travel in Africa continue to experience growth post the Covid-19 era slump, the industry continues to grapple with gaps in airlines’ and airports’ infrastructure. High costs and regulatory bottlenecks continue to hinder growth, too.

However, programmes such as the Single African Air Transport Market seek to accelerate liberalization of the industry and enhance connectivity.

In August 2025, Kenya Airways suffered KES12.2 billion in losses for the six-month trading period ending June 30, reversing a KES513 million net profit which the carrier recorded during the comparable period in 2024.

At the time, KQ said the decline in profitability was due to ongoing delays in securing critical aircraft parts from the U.S., a trend that was affecting other players in the aviation industry globally, thereby affecting its optimum fleet operations.

As a result, KQ saw a 14 percent dip in travellers during the half, a decline that pushed the carrier to a 19 per cent or KES17 billion decrease in Revenue Passenger Kilometres.

Read also: Qatar Airways, Shell sign record sustainable aviation fuel supply deal