Kenya Airways Sweeps Global Honors at The Aviation Challenge 2025

Copenhagen, Denmark | 22 January 2026 — Kenya Airways (KQ) has once again proven its prowess in eco-innovation, securing three major trophies at The Aviation Challenge (TAC) 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year the “Pride of Africa” has been globally recognized for its scalable, data-driven solutions to greener flying. 

The awards were presented during an industry-leading summit hosted by SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) in Copenhagen, bringing together member airlines from the SkyTeam Alliance to tackle the aviation industry’s environmental footprint. 

A Triple Win for the Group 

Kenya Airways led the charge among African carriers, earning the following distinctions: 

• Most Impactful Solution – Catering: Honored for successfully eliminating single-use plastics across its entire global network.
• Game Changer of the Year: Awarded to Miriam Wangombe, Manager of Catering Solutions, for her transformative leadership in upcycling textiles and implementing farm-to-fork programs that delivered both environmental and financial gains.
• Special Recognition for Collaboration with KLM: A tribute to the airline’s deep partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, focusing on shared sustainable practices and knowledge exchange across four editions of the challenge. 

Additionally, KQ’s low-cost subsidiary, Jambojet, won the Most Compelling Story award for its “Turning Plastic Waste into Purpose” initiative, which upcycles plastic waste into community resources through its partnership with Plastiki Rafiki. 

Impact by the Numbers

KQ’s sustainability strategy is yielding tangible results that go beyond corporate social responsibility:

• Plastic Reduction: Over 337 tonnes of single-use plastic avoided annually.
• Cost Efficiency: Approximately KES 50 million saved each year through eco-friendly operational shifts.
• Sustainable Substitutes: The airline has fully integrated bamboo cutlery, paper cups, and 100% recyclable aluminium packaging across all flights. 

Voice of Leadership

“This recognition shows our commitment to expanding sustainable practices through innovation and focused action,” said George Kamal, Acting Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways. “It reflects the hard work of our people and partners as we continue to embed sustainability into our operations and create real change across the industry”. 

The Aviation Challenge 2025 involved 22 airlines and over 80 showcase flights, proving that African aviation is not only participating in the global green transition but actively leading it.