Kenya Airways flies first cattle shipment to Nigeria
Kenya Airways has flown more than 50 live cattle from Nairobi to Lagos, its first shipment of live cattle to Nigeria. The national carrier is pushing into specialised freight to grow cargo revenue.
The cattle left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on a dedicated cargo charter and landed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The shipment was handled under KQ Live, the airline’s specialised service for transporting live animals, which provides temperature control, ventilation and handling procedures to protect animal welfare in transit.
“This successful maiden operation to Lagos demonstrates our ability to respond to complex and specialised cargo requirements across the continent,” said Fitsum Abadi, cargo director at Kenya Airways.
“Live animal shipments require meticulous planning, specialised handling and close coordination throughout the journey.”
Kenya Airways is expanding its cargo business into higher-value niches including pharmaceuticals, perishables, dangerous goods, live animals and e-commerce.
The airline says additional widebody aircraft capacity and strategic partnerships will support the expansion. It also aims to strengthen Nairobi’s role as a regional logistics hub.
Cargo has become an increasingly important revenue line for the carrier, which has relied on freight to support earnings as it works to restore profitability.
The Lagos flight also reflects growing demand for air freight to support intra-African trade, particularly for goods that need specialised handling and regulatory clearance.
Intra-African trade remains low compared with other regions, a gap that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) seeks to close.
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