Our fleet
Aircraft built for short, wild runways
A small family of proven types, each chosen for the short-field performance that bush flying demands — and maintained to international standards.
- Aircraft types
- 4
- Cabin sizes
- 11 – 49 seats
Why these aircraft
Small enough to land almost anywhere
The airstrips AirKenya serves are often little more than a cleared strip of earth. The fleet is built around that reality: high wings, robust undercarriages and engines that deliver on a short runway. Two of the types are pressurised for the longer regional hops, the rest are the classics of African bush aviation.
All of the aircraft operate from the airline’s base at Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi, where they are maintained and prepared between flights.
The aircraft
Four types, one standard of care
Cessna Grand Caravan C208B
- Seats
- 11 seats
- Crew
- 2 pilots
A single-engine workhorse with a high wing and a cabin that is air-conditioned. It reaches the shortest strips in the network.
De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter
- Seats
- 18 seats
- Crew
- 2 pilots
The classic bush aircraft. Two engines, exceptional short-field performance, and a reputation built over decades of safari flying.
De Havilland Canada Dash 7-100
- Seats
- 49 seats
- Crew
- crew of 6
A pressurised, four-engine airliner that can still use a short runway. The largest aircraft in the fleet.
Bombardier DHC8-202 (Dash 8)
- Seats
- 37 seats
- Crew
- crew of 5
Pressurised and quiet, with a cabin that feels like a regional jet’s. Used where the runway allows it and comfort matters most.
Maintenance
Reliability is not traded for capability
Bush flying asks a lot of an aircraft. AirKenya’s fleet is maintained and upgraded to international standards, which is what keeps a network of remote airstrips running on schedule.
Short-field performance
High wings and rugged undercarriages let the fleet use the region’s shortest airstrips.
Maintained in Nairobi
Aircraft are serviced at the airline’s base at Wilson Airport between rotations.
Two-pilot crews
The scheduled types are flown by two pilots, in keeping with regional standards.
Pressurised options
The Dash 7 and Dash 8 offer pressurised cabins for longer regional flights.
Charter the whole aircraft
Need an airstrip we do not serve?
A charter takes the same aircraft off the timetable and puts the departure — and the destination — where you need it.