Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, has secured its first third-party aircraft maintenance contract after signing an agreement to service a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400 operated by Ghana-based Africa World Airlines (AWA), marking a major expansion beyond its traditional passenger operations.

The contract represents Jambojet’s entry into the commercial Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) market, creating a new revenue stream as African airlines increasingly seek certified maintenance providers closer to home.

The move also strengthens aviation cooperation between East and West Africa at a time when demand for aircraft engineering services continues to outpace available maintenance capacity across the continent.

First external maintenance contract

The project follows approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), which expanded Jambojet’s maintenance certification after assessing its engineering capability, hangar facilities, technical personnel and specialized tooling.

Work is currently underway at the airline’s maintenance hangar at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. Engineers are performing a comprehensive C-check, one of the aviation industry’s most extensive scheduled maintenance inspections.

The exercise includes detailed structural inspections, component replacements, avionics testing and baseline systems upgrades before the aircraft returns to Ghana for commercial passenger service. Jambojet said successful delivery of the contract could position the airline to secure additional maintenance agreements from other African carriers looking for reliable regional MRO partners.

Building a larger aviation business

Founded in 2014, Jambojet is Kenya’s first low-cost airline and operates an all-De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 fleet from Nairobi. The carrier serves key domestic destinations including Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Malindi, Lamu and Diani (Ukunda), while also operating selected regional routes.

The airline has outlined plans to expand its fleet to as many as 20 aircraft, reflecting growing demand for affordable regional air travel and broader aviation services.

For Africa World Airlines, the maintenance agreement supports fleet reliability while allowing the Ghanaian carrier to leverage certified engineering expertise within Africa instead of relying on more distant maintenance facilities.

Ghana rebuilds its aviation ambitions

The agreement comes as Ghana works to restore a national airline after the collapse of Ghana Airways in 2004 and the shutdown of Ghana International Airlines in 2010.

The Ghanaian government is pursuing a new flag carrier through a majority private-sector investment model, with operations targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.

As the country’s aviation sector expands, partnerships with established regional operators such as Jambojet could help strengthen aircraft maintenance capacity across West Africa.