Kenya Airways Donates 20 Year Old SkyTeam Liveried Boeing 737 To Local High School

A lucky high school located Northeast of Nairobi has received a 20-year-old Boeing 737 from Kenya Airways (KQ) to help its aspiring aviation students prepare for their careers in the industry. This is part of the national carrier’s commitment to promote aviation as a career path while inspiring the next generation of professionals.

A special donation from KQ

It’s not every day that an unsuspecting learning institution is chosen to receive a retired aircraft from the largest airline in the country. However, September 20 was a special day for Mang’u High School students, who have added a narrowbody to their fleet, thanks to KQ.

The aircraft in question is a decommissioned B737-700, registration 5Y-KQH. It was built in May 2003 and delivered to Kenya Airways brand new. It was retired in October 2019 after completing over 20,900 flights for the national airline, clocking over 56,800 flight hours.

5Y-KQH featured the iconic SkyTeam livery and is one of four 737-700s previously operated by the East African carrier. It once had two CFM56 engines, but as a decommissioned aircraft, it was delivered to the school without the engines. It can accommodate 116 passengers, with 100 seats in economy and 16 in business class, for its premium students.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The 20-year-old narrowbody was officially handed over to the school during an event in a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) hangar. The ceremony was attended by some pupils and various stakeholders, including the airline’s CEO, the school’s Chief Principal, and one of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretaries.

The aircraft donation is expected to enhance Mang’u High School’s aviation learning preparations and highlights the national carrier’s commitment to nurturing talent. Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka said;

“This donation is true to our commitment to nurturing talent and driving economic growth, not only in Kenya but also in the broader African continent. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the profound impact this initiative will have on Mangu High school.”

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen added;

“Investing in education is investing in our nation’s future, and Kenya Airways’ generous donation of this aircraft to Mangu High School is a shining example of corporate social responsibility at its best.”

While this may be a first for Mang’u, it is not the first time that KQ has committed its resources to learning institutions. The airline has supported various education, health, and environmental conservation activities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

Promoting aviation as a career

The African air transport market is expected to grow immensely over the next two decades, resulting in the need for over 1,000 new aircraft and over 50,000 new aviation professionals. Although several challenges prevent younger students from pursuing careers in aviation, African airlines have a significant role in inspiring and training future aviators.

Murkomen also highlighted the importance of Kenya’s aviation sector as it directly creates jobs, expands various markets, and facilitates the efficient movement of goods and people within and out of the country. As such, the government will continue efforts to grow regional economies and position Kenya as a primary aviation hub by engaging with state agencies, industry stakeholders, and schools to promote innovation and talent development.

Source: simpleflying.com