{
  "id": 1896496,
  "title": "Kenya Airways says its fuel cost up 72% due to Middle East conflict",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/kenya-airways-says-its-fuel-cost-up-72-due-to-middle-east-conflict",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-19T08:10:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40435555/kenya-airways-says-its-fuel-cost-up-72-due-to-middle-east-conflict"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NAIROBI - Kenya Airways, one of Africa's largest airlines, revealed on Wednesday that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to a staggering 72% surge in its fuel costs for the first half of the year, according to acting CEO George Kamal. This price increase has been felt acutely by the carrier, with fuel now representing up to 50% of its total expenses. Kamal attributed the financial strain to a combination of factors, including delayed deliveries of aircraft parts, reduced fleet availability, and a global inflation spike. Despite the global aviation industry grappling with a backlog in aircraft supplies, Kamal emphasized that the airline's comparatively smaller fleet of 40 planes is bearing the brunt of these challenges. Kenya Airways currently possesses two Boeing 737 planes, awaiting delivery, while another two deliveries slated for April were cancelled following failed inspection tests. The airline is currently operating near full capacity on all routes, underscoring the urgency to secure additional aircraft. In a bid to bolster its financial health, Kenya Airways is currently scrutinizing every contract and frantically searching for ways to cut costs. Kamal disclosed that the airline's profit margin per seat is alarmingly low at just $1.50, leaving little room for error.",
  "summary": "NAIROBI: Kenya Airways said on Wednesday that the Middle East conflict had driven up its fuel costs by 72% in the first half of this year and caused delays to supplies of spare parts and plane maintenance. One of Africa’s largest airlines, Kenya Airways is due to announce its 2026 half-year results early next week. “We have been heavily impacted by the war with the fuel prices rising by 72% in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bangkok Post",
        "title": "Conflicts in Middle East drive rise in loan defaults",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/conflicts-in-middle-east-drive-rise-in-loan-defaults",
        "published": "2026-08-18T22:26:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}