One of Africa’s largest airlines has warned it could cut some flights amid supply chain issues

Kenya Airways is reportedly experiencing flight disruptions due to delays in securing aircraft components required for maintenance.

The airline, which is one of Africa’s biggest, may be forced to cut some flights if the challenges of getting the parts persist, Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka said in a statement.

“The challenges have been occasioned by the Ukraine war crisis, which has significantly crippled the Russian supply chain crucial to global aviation,” he said.

The supply chain issues stem from Russia’s war in Ukraine; and a backlog of Covid-19 part orders. Russia is a key supplier of titanium, which is used by the aviation industry, and is crucial to the maintenance of planes.

Kenya Airways, whose strategy hinges on connecting African travellers to the world and vice-versa through its Nairobi hub, operates a fleet of Boeing and Embraer planes.