National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ), has posted a Sh17.12 billion loss in the year ended December 2025.

This is a significant drop from a profit of Sh5.4 billion in the year ended December 2024.

KQ said the loss is mainly attributed to temporary grounding of three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, a direct consequence of limited engine availability and delays in sourcing critical spare parts globally.

The airline's Chairman, Kiprono Kittony, attributed the downturn largely to external shocks rather than weak market demand, insisting that the airline’s fundamentals remain intact.

“While our financial performance reflects a challenging year, it is important to recognise that this was driven primarily by global supply chain disruptions and not a lack of demand,” he said, noting that appetite for travel remains strong.

Acting Group managing director and CEO George Kamal echoed this view, situating the airline’s struggles within a broader global aviation context marked by aircraft delivery delays, engine shortages and logistical bottlenecks.

According to the International Air Transport Association, the aviation sector continued its recovery trajectory in 2025, buoyed by robust international passenger demand.