WATCH: Kenya Tests Its First-Ever Airship

by Geoffrey Lutta on Thursday, 22 June 2023 – 3:44 pm

Photo collage of an airship during a demonstration exercise on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Kenya Flying Labs, on Thursday, June 22, demonstrated how the country's first-ever airship will work to deliver timely medical supplies.

In a test run conducted at Konza, Kenya Flying Labs showcased how various counties, including Kisumu and Homa Bay, will benefit from the solar-powered airship.

"It has the advantage of cutting distance more than half, thus able to deliver medical supplies much faster," Cleopa Otieno, Kenya Flying Labs CEO, stated.

Below is the video:

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Otieno explained that the initiative is expected to reduce the risk encountered by several county officials while delivering medical supplies using boats.

The airships will be launched in the country once approved by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

How It Works

According to Kenya Flying Labs, the airship combines the lifting power of helium and advanced flight, an electric powertrain.

During the flight, the airship applies advanced technology in unmanned aviation. Different trained specialists also help navigate the airship while in flight mode.

The airship can conduct multi-stops, enabling reverse logistics. However, for easy and faster flight, Kenya Flying Labs mapped out several health facilities to benefit from the facility.

Kenya Flying Labs also revealed that it had deployed some staff for training on setting up the airship operation base and piloting and maintaining the airship.

It partnered with the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and Cloudline, a South African-based airship manufacturer, to launch the project in Kenya.

In 2022, Kenya announced plans to launch flying taxis expected to reduce traffic congestion in Nairobi. The taxis will also play a central role in transporting cargo.

Airship during a demonstration exercise conducted by Kenya Flying Labs on Thursday, June 22, 2023.