Kenya Airways recorded a major increase in revenue during the first half of 2026, but the airline continued to face heavy financial pressure as fuel and maintenance expenses climbed.

The national carrier reported revenue of KSh81.2 billion for the six months ending June 2026, representing a 9.1 per cent increase from the KSh74.5 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.

The latest figure is the airline’s second-highest half-year revenue on record, reflecting stronger demand for its services despite challenges affecting its operations.

However, the increase in revenue was not enough to offset the sharp rise in operating expenses. KQ’s operating costs increased by 13.8 per cent to KSh91.9 billion, up from KSh80.7 billion a year earlier.

The higher expenses pushed the airline’s operating loss to about KSh10.6 billion, compared with KSh6.2 billion in the first half of 2025.

Fuel emerged as one of the biggest expenses during the period, with Kenya Airways spending approximately KSh29 billion on fuel. The airline said higher fuel prices and flight rerouting contributed significantly to the increase.

Maintenance costs also rose as the carrier continued dealing with challenges affecting the availability of some aircraft and difficulties in accessing spare parts.

Despite the financial challenges, the airline said demand for its flights remains strong. Management said the main challenge is turning that demand into profitable growth while restoring the fleet to full operating capacity.

Kenya Airways is now focusing on improving flight reliability, restoring aircraft capacity and strengthening its financial position.

The airline is also looking for a strategic investor who can inject fresh capital as it explores additional revenue opportunities, including cargo operations and aircraft maintenance services.

The latest results highlight the difficult position facing KQ: while passenger demand and revenue are improving, rising operational costs continue to put pressure on the airline’s recovery.