Kenya Airways Wins Two Prestigious Awards

January 20, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Kenya Airways (KQ) has won two prestigious awards at the 2024 SkyTeam Global Aviation Challenge – a renowned international competition. The competition organized by the SkyTeam Alliance recognizes and rewards innovative solutions that contribute to a more sustainable aviation industry.

KQ won two prestigious awards: Best Scaled Catering Solution and Best Approach to Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Kenya Airways was the only African airline that had been shortlisted in multiple categories of the SkyTeam Aviation Challenge 2024.

The airline was awarded the Best Scaled Catering Solution category, recognising its innovative efforts to reduce single-use plastics onboard. By introducing traditional African bread baskets and aluminium food containers in economy class, Kenya Airways is set to eliminate 24 tonnes of plastic waste annually, showcasing its commitment to reducing environmental impact.

In the Best Approach to Scaling SAF category, KQ was commended for its partnership with a local SAF producer to establish Kenya’s first SAF production plant. This initiative will not only provide affordable SAF to Kenya and the region but also create jobs for the Kwale County community and support Kenya’s tree cover by cultivating energy seed plants on arid and degraded lands.

In addition to these major awards, Kenya Airways received recognition in other key categories. The airline was acknowledged for Best Team Collaboration through its Sustainability Champions program, which encourages cross-departmental cooperation, and for Best Climate Literacy, which highlights its multi-level sustainability training programs. The airline also received special recognition in categories such as Scaling SAF and Airline Participation.

The winners of the SkyTeam Aviation Challenge 2024 were announced at an awards ceremony held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on January 14-15, 2024.This year’s competition marked the third edition of the prestigious SkyTeam Aviation Challenge, an annual event organised by the SkyTeam Alliance to recognise innovative solutions that address critical challenges in the aviation industry. The 2024 challenge focused on scaling previously implemented solutions to create a sustainable impact.

Kenya Airways’ participation in the challenge included operating four long-haul flights—Nairobi to New York, Amsterdam, Paris, and London—with sustainability-focused parameters. Key efforts included sustainable in-flight catering, geo-optimization of ground operations, and an e-mobility solution for passenger transport. Others included a “travel light” policy encouraging passengers to minimise baggage weight, and waste management initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly operations.