Kenya Airways has announced that, despite its search for strategic investment partners, it has no desire for a partnership with a Middle Eastern carrier.
According to Bizna Kenya, a statement by Kenya Airways CEO, Allan Kilavuka, effectively declares that the carrier will not entertain collaboration with some of the world's top airlines, including Qatar Airways and Emirates Airline.
"Africa is a large continent by land mass and is trying to trade within itself amidst infrastructural deficiencies. Because we are large, by necessity we need to fly to trade. So, aviation is critical for economic development and that is what the Middle Eastern carriers have realised. They want to kick in now and take advantage of the potential," said Kilavuka.
Middle Eastern airlines, he said, were more interested in growing their airport hubs than in investing in the development of African hubs.
His sentiment comes as carriers from the Middle East have upped their investments in Africa. Qatar Airways recently announced its investment in RwandAir and Airlink, and in Rwanda's new Bugesera International Airport, with a plan to develop it into a regional aviation hub.
