Kenyan low-cost carrier Jambojet (JM, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) is expanding its in-house maintenance capabilities for its fleet of nine leased DHC-8-Q400s, aiming to position itself as a regional specialist while tackling global supply chain disruptions, reports Aviation Week.
The Kenya Airways subsidiary expects to grow its fleet to 11 aircraft by early 2026 and to 16 by 2029, according to CEO Karanja Ndegwa. The latest unit, the 10.5-year-old 5Y-JXA (msn 4491), joined the fleet in June 2025 on lease from Abu Dhabi Aviation, ch-aviation data reveals.
Ndegwa said the airline had gained certification to perform both line and base maintenance, adding heavy checks in 2024. It is now completing its second in-house C check, with a third scheduled before the end of September.
The shift is part of a strategy to lower costs, build technical capacity, and eventually generate revenue. Jambojet plans to offer third-party maintenance focused exclusively on the Q400 beginning in 2026, Ndegwa said.
But the effort faces challenges, including parts shortages and long engine shop delays that have forced the airline to lease engines. Ndegwa said turnaround times for some components have stretched from 24 hours to nearly a week, while engines now take an average of 250 days.
To support its long-term ambitions, Jambojet is investing in component shop capabilities and scaling infrastructure in line with fleet growth. Ndegwa said the goal is to establish consistency in heavy checks before pursuing external work.
He added that the strategy could provide a model for other African carriers grappling with high costs and spares shortages. "If we are able to manage this in the very best way, it will be a game changer," he said.
