At the prestigious Airline Strategy Awards 2013 the Airline Business Award was presented to Kenya Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Dr Titus Naikuni. This award recognizes an individual who has made a lasting strategic contribution to the air transport business.

The judging panel, comprising highly-respected industry professionals including analysts and former chief executives, stated that during his 10 years at the helm, Dr Naikuni has steered Kenya Airways on to a profitable and stable growth path and established it as one of Africa’s leading airlines.

During the course of his tenure, revenue has more than trebled to $1.2 billion, passenger numbers have jumped to 3.6 million and the airline’s fleet has doubled to 42.  Kenya Airways has totally revamped its fleet and become the first carrier in the region to join a global alliance, as well as a leading beacon of private enterprise in a region where state ownership remains the norm.

Among past winners of the ‘Airline Business Award’ are: Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways (2012) and Tim Clark, the CEO of Emirates Airline (2011).