Allan Kilavuka exits Kenya Airways after 6 years
By Luke Oluoch, December 17, 2025Kenya Airways’ board of directors has announced that Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka will be exiting the company.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, KQ stated that the MD will proceed on terminal leave ahead of the expiry of his contractual tenure, following six years of dedicated service at the helm of the airline.
With the exit, Kenya Airways has confirmed the appointment of Captain George Kamal, the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), as Acting GMD/CEO effective December 16, 2025.
Acting CEO
“Mr. Allan Kilavuka will be exiting the company as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer as he proceeds on terminal leave ahead of the expiry of his contractual tenure, following six years of dedicated service at the helm of the airline,” part of its statement read.
KQ added that it will concurrently initiate a competitive recruitment process to appoint a substantive successor.
Smooth transition
“To ensure a smooth transition, the Board has appointed Captain George Kamal, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), as Acting GMD/CEO effective 16 December 2025. The Board will concurrently initiate a competitive recruitment process to appoint a substantive successor.”
Commenting on the executive changes, the company reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing turnaround strategy of the airline, whose primary objective is to secure operational reliability, sustainability, and growth ambitions.
It additionally stated that the search for a suitable strategic investor, with the support of shareholders, remains among its immediate objectives.
Kamal, who holds a doctorate in business administration and an MSc in aviation management, joins the leadership role at the company as a distinguished aviation executive with over 29 years of leadership experience across the Middle East and African markets.
He rose through the ranks from frontline operations to the C-suite, leading the transformation of several airlines through senior executive roles, most recently serving as Operations Director at Air Arabia and Chief Operations & Executive Officer at Iraqi Airways, leveraging his expertise in innovation, digitalisation, and advanced aviation systems.
The Board concluded by offering equivocal support to Kamal as he assumes his role as the interim executive leader.