Kenya Airways (KQ) and Qatar Airways (QR) have launched new codeshare flights to 19 destinations following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the two airlines on July 1, 2025 in Doha, confirming their strategic partnership including the increase of flights between Kenya and Qatar.
The codeshare flights allow Kenya Airways customers to book flights between Nairobi and Doha, as well as to 10 Asian and Middle Eastern destinations through Hamad International Airport. On the other hand, Qatar Airways customers will be able to reach 8 destinations in Kenya Airways’ network, via Nairobi. Additionally, the launch introduces a third daily flight between Doha and Nairobi.
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori said that the addition of Qatar Airways’ third daily flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, serves as another pillar of the partnership primarily driven by strong demand for reliable and seamless connectivity by passengers.
“The partnership will significantly enhance connectivity especially across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, expanding our flight offerings, and opening up a world of new destinations for our customers to explore,” said Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer.
Flights go on sale from October 21, 2025, with operations set to start on October 26, 2025.
Airlines’ Network Expansion
The launch of the codeshare flights expands Kenya Airways’ footprint in Asia and the Middle East, while Qatar Airways expands in Africa. Through Hamad International Airport, Kenya Airways passengers will have access to destinations including Bahrain, Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad and Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Male, Singapore and Tokyo Narita in Japan. Qatar Airways passengers will have access to Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Juba, Nampula and Victoria Falls through Nairobi.
The codeshare flights are set to enhance booking, with passengers being able to book a single itinerary that includes flights operated by both airlines using either KQ or QR’s flight numbers and booking systems. The seamless booking and single ticket eliminate the need to buy separate tickets, making the process easy and reducing costs compared to independent bookings.
Despite KQ making financial losses in recent years, this partnership could increase the company’s revenue through increased passenger traffic. In the first six months ended June 2025, the airline recorded an 18.6% decline in revenue to KES 75 billion, mainly driven by a drop in passenger numbers and a 16% cut in capacity. The JKIA-based airline posted a net loss of KES 12.2 billion, reversing from KES 513 million profit in a similar period last year.
Kenya Airways and Qatar shine at global awards
At the 2025 World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony in Dar es Salaam, KQ was named Africa’s Leading Airline 2025 for the fourth consecutive year. Additionally, the airline was named as Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class 2025, Africa’s Leading Airline Brand 2025, and Africa’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2025 (Msafiri).
Qatar Airways is the only five-star global airline based in the Middle East and reigns as the World’s Best Airline as voted by Skytrax in 2025.
