Kenya Airways Cargo to export flowers into Australia

January 19, 2017

Kenya Airways Cargo (KQ Cargo) is now exporting Kenyan cut flowers to Australia after partnering with Qantas Airways.

The new service was introduced after market research identified Sydney and Melbourne as being key markets for Kenyan flowers.

The Kenyan carrier is targeting to lift more than 30 tonnes of flowers into Australia every month as part of revenue improvement in the ongoing Operation Pride.

KQ Cargo sales manager, Patricia Odida, says it is “major game changer” for Kenya, in terms of increasing trade exports of flowers to nontraditional markets, while the partnership opens up the Australian market for exporters and is a business opportunity for the carrier to generate revenue.

She adds: “Previously exporters relied on other carriers, but when we got into an interline agreement with Qantas, we have seen the market grow and demand is steadily increasing. We are now working on an additional gateway through Bangkok.”

KQ Cargo is also looking into more opportunities in the fast-growing flower business in the Far East such as China.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.