Kenya Airways is set to bring back its grounded Dreamliner in a bid to alleviate the capacity constraints that had shrunk by 20 per cent. This step will also enhance its capacity back to 85 per cent.

In a statement on Monday, July 14, 2025, the national airline informed its customers that the first grounded plane will be introduced on July 22, 2025, while the anticipated reintroduction of the second grounded plane is set for September 25, 2025.

According to Kenya Airways, by December 19, 2025, the third ground plane would be ready to hit the skies.

“As previously communicated, since late 2024, we have had three of our Dreamliner aircraft grounded due to industry chain constraints as well as engine availability. I am pleased to announce that one of the aircraft is scheduled to return to service on July 22, 2025,” the statement read in part.

Increasing capacity

This milestone seeks to increase the seat capacity with the addition of 3 narrow-body aircraft, which will increase the airways capacity by offering an additional 528 seats and belly capacity by 239 per cent by the fourth quarter of 2025.

“With safety as the cornestone of our operations and travel demand surging during this time, we are eager to provide our passengers with additional capacity and comfort. We look forward to welcoming travellers back aboard our dreamlines,” KQ’s statement read in part.

Past concerns

Despite the optimism, customer complaints on the thread about baggage delays and poor service highlight operational challenges, aligning with a 1.6/5 customer service rating from Kenya Airways’ 2025 consumer feedback, indicating potential risks to the partnership’s success unless addressed.

In a recent X post, Just Planes criticises Kenya Airways for the prolonged grounding of three Boeing 787 Dreamliners due to engine supply delays, a situation worsened by earlier reports from May 2024 indicating two aircraft were already inactive, costing the airline significant revenue and operational capacity.

Industry data from CH-Aviation.com highlights Kenya Airways’ reliance on its nine Dreamliner fleet, with engine issues linked to General Electric’s GEnx-1B70 engines, a problem echoed by Boeing’s own 2023 supply chain struggles that delayed global 787 deliveries.

A 2024 whistleblower report by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, cited by the FAA, revealed potential fuselage assembly flaws in 787s that could lead to mid-air failures, adding urgency to Kenya Airways’ need to resolve maintenance issues swiftly.

Historical data from the 2013 Boeing 787 grounding, involving battery failures and a fleet-wide halt, suggests recurring reliability challenges; a peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Air Transport Management (2014) highlighted how supply chain outsourcing, as seen with Boeing’s global network, increases vulnerability to delays.