- Allan Kilavuka has exited Kenya Airways after six years at the helm.
- Captain George Kamal takes over as acting CEO on December 16, 2025.
- Kamal will lead the airline as a search for a substantive CEO begins.
Kenya Airways has announced changes at the top, naming Captain George Kamal as its acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment follows the departure of Allan Kilavuka, who has proceeded on terminal leave ahead of the end of his contract.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the airline’s board confirmed that Kilavuka’s time in office has officially come to a close, ending a six-year leadership period marked by major challenges and reforms.
The board praised Kilavuka for his service, noting that he led the airline through a difficult phase that included financial strain and industry disruptions.
Captain Kamal, who has been serving as Kenya Airways’ Chief Operating Officer, assumed the acting CEO role with effect from December 16, 2025. The board said his appointment is temporary as a competitive process begins to recruit a substantive chief executive.
During this transition period, Kamal will work closely with the board to ensure stability and continuity in the airline’s operations.
Kamal brings close to three decades of experience in the aviation sector, having worked across Africa and the Middle East. He has previously held senior roles at Air Arabia as Operations Director and later at Iraqi Airways, where he served as Chief Operations Officer and Executive Officer.
Academically, he holds a doctorate in business administration and a master’s degree in aviation management, qualifications the board says position him well to steer the airline during the transition.
Kenya Airways said the leadership change comes as the airline continues to push forward with its turnaround strategy. Key areas of focus include improving reliability, strengthening financial performance and advancing talks to bring in a strategic investor with shareholder support.
Kilavuka’s exit comes at a time when the airline is working to build on recent operational improvements while still grappling with long-standing financial pressures.
The board expressed confidence that under Kamal’s leadership, the airline will maintain momentum as it navigates the next phase of its recovery journey.
