By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 16 December 2025 - Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the exit of Allan Kilavuka from his role as Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer following the completion of his tenure. The airline’s board confirmed a leadership transition as KQ navigates ongoing operational and financial pressures.
On December 16, 2025, KQ’s board named Captain George Kamal as the Acting Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer.
Kamal steps into the role as Kilavuka exits, positioning him to steer the carrier through its next phase. The Airline’s board made the announcement
Allan Kilavuka has been at the helm of Kenya Airways since April 1, 2020, when the board confirmed his substantive appointment following an earlier acting tenure.
During his leadership, he guided the airline through a period marked by the pandemic’s aftermath, efforts to stabilise the airline’s finances and strategic partnerships, including agreements with carriers such as Qatar Airways and Air Tanzania aimed at boosting connectivity and operational cooperation.
Kilavuka’s tenure saw some notable achievements, including awards recognising his leadership within the aviation sector, such as the African Aviation Leadership Award, which highlighted his contributions to the industry.
However, the final year of his leadership also coincided with financial headwinds for the airline. In late 2025, KQ issued a profit warning, projecting a decline in net earnings due to grounded aircraft and supply chain challenges affecting its Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliners, operational strains that have weighed on revenue and profitability.
The board’s decision to appoint Captain George Kamal as Acting CEO reflects both routine executive succession planning and a desire for continuity within KQ’s leadership ranks.
Captain George Kamal is a seasoned aviation professional with nearly three decades of global leadership experience across major international carriers, bringing deep operational expertise to his new role as Acting CEO of Kenya Airways.
Before stepping into the top executive position, Kamal served as Chief Operating Officer at Kenya Airways, where he oversaw critical aspects of flight operations, safety, ground services and integrated operational control, roles he prepared for through a distinguished career that began as a First Officer and Captain with EgyptAir and extended to senior executive positions at Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and Iraqi Airways.
He holds a Master of Science in Aviation Management Transformation in the New Digital Decade from London Metropolitan University, demonstrating a focus on innovation and modern airline management, and has been credited with helping steer operational improvements and strategic initiatives at the airline.
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Under his operational leadership, Kenya Airways achieved industry milestones such as completing EASA‑certified crew operations and strengthening predictive maintenance partnerships with Boeing to enhance fleet reliability.
Kamal’s blend of technical flight experience, strategic oversight and multinational executive roles underscores his commitment to operational excellence and positions him to lead the airline through its turnaround and growth agenda.
Kamal’s appointment also comes at a time when the carrier is facing complex operational dynamics, including fleet challenges, increased competition, and regional aviation complexities.
This leadership shift follows other recent governance movements at Kenya Airways. Earlier in 2025, the airline announced the resignation of John Wilson as a non‑executive director, a position he held on behalf of major shareholders and which included responsibilities on key board committees.
Additionally, KQ’s board welcomed new appointments such as Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika, who has been nominated as the secretary for the state department of aviation and aerospace under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, reflecting ongoing changes in corporate oversight and government representation.
The transition in leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the airline.
KQ has publicly acknowledged operational and financial challenges, and the board’s choice of an experienced aviation professional as Acting CEO suggests a focus on stabilising operations and investor confidence.
Market watchers note that leadership changes at national carriers can signal strategic shifts, including renewed focus on cost control, route optimisation, and partnership development. With KQ navigating fluctuating demand and industry pressures, the board’s appointment of George Kamal aims to ensure continuity while enabling the airline to regroup and adapt.
