Kenya Airways has flown more than 50 cows from Nairobi to Lagos, Nigeria, in what the national carrier describes as its first livestock shipment to the West African country, as it pushes to grow its cargo business.

The animals were loaded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday, October 27, aboard a dedicated cargo charter booked by a customer the airline has not named. The Boeing 737-800 freighter, registration 5Y-KCA, flew for about five hours and 15 minutes before landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Handled under KQ Live

The shipment was handled under KQ Live, the airline's specialised product for moving live animals, which uses temperature control and ventilation to keep animals safe during the flight.

Kenya Airways Cargo Director Fitsum Abadi said moving live animals "require[s] meticulous planning, specialised handling and close coordination throughout the journey". He said the milestone reinforced the airline's commitment to supporting intra-African trade through flexible and reliable cargo solutions.

Cargo now a key earner

The flight fits into a wider strategy in which the airline is repositioning KQ Cargo as one of its main sources of income, cushioning it against swings in passenger demand. In June, the carrier said it wanted to grow its cargo market share from 11 per cent to 40 per cent.

Half-year results released in August showed cargo revenue rose 18 per cent to Sh8.77 billion, from Sh7.46 billion a year earlier, growing faster than the group's overall turnover of Sh81.25 billion.

  • Route: JKIA, Nairobi to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos
  • Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 freighter (5Y-KCA)
  • Flight time: about 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Cargo: more than 50 head of cattle

Opening up West Africa

Kenya Airways already runs four direct passenger flights a week between Nairobi and Lagos, and offers lower-deck cargo space on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners on the route to freight forwarders.

The airline says it is also targeting other specialised freight, including pharmaceuticals, perishables, dangerous goods and e-commerce parcels, with additional wide-body capacity and partnerships expected to support the expansion. Industry players see such high-value niches as a way for the carrier to stand out in a crowded freight market and improve the returns it earns per kilo flown.

Photos: Kenya Airways via Kenyans.co.ke. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.