Bonface Kanyamwaya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than 10 years of financial, economy, business, markets and aviation expertise, providing insights into Kenya and global trends.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has named its Boeing 737-800 Dreamliner plane after Caroline Ndonga.

In a statement posted on its social media account, the airline said that Ndonga serves as the station manager in Burundi.

The plane was named after Ndonga after she beat other top contenders like Eliud Kipchoge, who were also looking forward to the honour. The decision was made based on an online poll conducted by the airline.

"Not just our Burundi Station Manager, but a force of resilience, safety, and unwavering leadership. Today, her name soars on the side of our newest B737, honoring a woman who keeps us grounded while helping us fly higher. Because some names deserve the skies," said the airline in the statement which posted on its X account.

“This isn’t just a name on a fuselage. It’s a story of impact. Caroline reminds us that true leadership is found in action, especially when no one is watching. Naming this aircraft after her is a tribute to that kind of integrity," the airline's CEO Allan Kilavuka told

Ndonga holds a bachelor's degree in Horticulture Science and a master's degree in Business Administration and Strategic Management.

Ndonga has been with the carrier since 2005, where she started as a flight dispatcher. She then moved to become the load controller in 2009, a position that she held until 2012.

She was then promoted to become the supervisor of operations in Kisumu county before moving to become the carrier's station manager in Burundi.

The plane was acquired by Kenya Airways in February 2025 as it plans to increase its passenger services within Africa and overseas.

The 737-800 is a narrow-body, short-medium-haul commercial aircraft that is manufactured by US plane maker Boeing.

When the carrier acquired the plane, Kilavuka said that the lease of the plane is part of a fleet strategy in which the airline is swapping the low-capacity Embraer E-jets with larger narrow-body aircrafts such as the Boeing 737-800.

The plane has the ability to carry up to 160 passengers, unlike an Embraer plane, which only accommodates 92 passengers on a single route.

In related news, a KQ plane, which was destined for Dar-es Salaam was turned back to address a medical situation.

The flight KQ484 left Nairobi on Sunday, April 27, at approximately 1.40pm but was forced to return shortly after takeoff.

KQ was forced to apologise to its customers following the incident.

Source: TUKO.co.ke