Prague Flights and Africa’s airline shake-up as Nairobi seeks $1.2bn–$2bn partner for Kenya Airways
prague flights appear amid a wider industry update as Kenya’s government moved to invite an international strategic partner to inject a minimum of USD1. 2 billion and up to USD2 billion into Kenya Airways, a step officials say is central to the carrier’s turnaround.
Nairobi tender aims $1. 2bn–$2bn investment
Finance Minister John Mbadi said at a news conference in Nairobi on February 11 that the government will roll out an international expression of interest to find a strategic equity partner for Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta). He set the new investor’s expected injection at a minimum of USD1. 2 billion and up to USD2 billion, and said the partner must bring both capital and operational expertise.
Prague Flights figure in broader airlines update
Industry updates that referenced routes and partnerships also noted that Kenya Airways reported improved operating performance in 2025, with passenger numbers rising, load factors improving and cargo volumes stabilizing. Those operational gains sit alongside continuing financial pressure: the government has taken over and is servicing KES63. 1 billion in debt (USD489 million), which Mbadi said will be converted into equity once a strategic investor is on board. The phrase prague flights surfaced in broader travel coverage as Europe faced strikes and winter disruption, even as African carriers hunt growth.
Restructuring will target routes, fleet and labour
The announced recovery blueprint calls for rationalising Kenya Airways’ route network, fleet and resources to align with a renewed ambition of serving as a pan-African hub out of Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta. The plan includes renegotiating a collective bargaining agreement with workers to meet industry productivity targets, and retains an objective to explore a pan-African airline alliance with Kenya Airways as a founding partner.
The government framed the tender as seeking more than financial backing: Mbadi emphasized the new partner must supply experience and best practices in airline operations. With passenger demand improving in 2025 but high debt levels and currency pressure still flagged as concerns, the move to convert the KES63. 1 billion government-serviced debt into equity is a concrete step tied to the tender process.
Next on the calendar is the rollout of the international expression of interest that Mbadi outlined; that tender launch is the confirmed next milestone in the recovery plan and will determine the timeline for any capital injection and the planned debt-to-equity conversion.