Kenyan Flower Exports to Europe Strained by Airfreight Capacity Shortage
December 5, 2024 | 1 min to read
A freight crisis at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is jeopardizing Kenya's flower and fresh produce exports to Europe, as carriers like Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines prefer lucrative routes to Asia and the US. Airflo has advised clients to cut deliveries due to reduced airline capacity, resulting in 300 tonnes of cargo backlog. Charter flight arrangements are hampered by aircraft shortages, leaving local exporters at risk amid the flexible operations of international airlines.
A freight crisis at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is putting strain on Kenya’s flower and fresh produce exports to Europe. Several international carriers – including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Magma Aviation – have reportedly scaled back their cargo services to Kenya in favour of more lucrative routes for the festive season. For instance, cargo airlines are earning up to $8 per kg on routes from Asia to the US, compared with only $2.5-$2.8 per kg in Kenya.
This month, Airflo, a freight forwarder of perishable goods between Kenya and the Netherlands, advised its Kenyan clients to reduce deliveries due to limited airline capacity. This shortage has resulted in cargo piling up at Nairobi’s airport, with Airflo estimating that recent flight cancellations and delays have removed 300 tonnes from its planned airfreight capacity. Efforts to arrange charter flights have faced challenges as well, with aircraft in short supply due to high demand from Asia. Many international airlines operating in Kenya do not have binding contracts, allowing them the flexibility to cut capacity, leaving local exporters vulnerable.
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