Kenya Airways CEO Seeks $500 Million From State to Survive Virus

  • Carrier aims to cut fixed costs by about 40% to match revenue
  • Nationalization also vital, Kilavuka says amid buyout talks
Allan Kilavuka

Photographer: Patrick Meinhardt/Bloomberg

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Kenya Airways Plc needs at least $500 million to ride out the coronavirus crisis after first-half revenue plunged almost 50%, Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka said in an interview.

The carrier, which is 49% state owned, must also be fully nationalized alongside Kenya Airports Authority, which runs the Nairobi hub, under a holding structure similar to that of regional leader Ethiopian Airlines Group, he said.