The Board of Directors of Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways Plc (KQ) has announced a leadership change with the appointment 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”, says the airline.
KQ announced that 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.”
Kenya Airways says Mr. Kilavuka “steered Kenya Airways with commitment and resilience through the turbulent COVID-19 period, implementing effective cost-saving measures and strategic initiatives that safeguarded the airline’s operational viability. He subsequently oversaw growth in revenues, passenger numbers, and freight volumes, reaffirming the airline’s sustainability and competitiveness.”
The Acting CEO, Captain Kamal is “a distinguished aviation executive with over 29 years of leadership experience across the Middle East and African markets. Rising from frontline operations to the C-suite, he has led 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. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and an MSc in Aviation Management, with expertise in innovation, digitalisation, and advanced aviation systems.”
The Board assured Captain Kamal of its support as it says it “remains focused on completing the ongoing turnaround strategy of the airline, whose primary objective is to secure operational reliability, sustainability, and growth ambitions. This strategy includes the search for a suitable strategic investor, with the support of shareholders.”
Mr. Allan Kilavuka Former MD-CEO Kenya Airways.
Source: Kenya Airways (X: @Kenya Airways)