Kenya Airways (KQ) has received Best Innovation and Most Impactful Breakthrough awards from SkyTeam for being the first African carrier to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Africa to Europe.

KQ executed a sustainable, eco-friendly commercial long-haul flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam during the sustainable flight challenge in May 2023.

The competition is sponsored by the SkyTeam Alliance, to which KQ is a signatory.

 KQ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka noted that the ‘Best Innovation’ award is an achievement that highlights the beginning of the carrier’s commitment to pioneering sustainable aviation practices, taking the lead in innovation, and driving change within our industry.

“This is a collective win for all KQ employees, our valued stakeholders, and the planet we serve for inspiring us to continue our journey towards a better, environmentally responsible aviation industry,” he said.

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On the other hand, SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux commended Kenya for its innovative ideas for cutting CO2 emissions through sustainable practices.

“We congratulate Kenya Airways on their remarkable achievement in spearheading sustainable aviation practices,” he said.

“This represents a significant advancement in the industry’s environmental initiatives and underscores Kenya Airways’ dedication to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.”

The competition attracted 22 airlines comprising the SkyTeam members, which collectively operated 72-hour flights.

It also saw over 350 innovative ideas submitted for industry-wide adoption, with the challenge seeing a reduction in CO2 intensity in the aviation sector by 19 percent.