Jambojet, Kenya’s leading low-cost airline, has been awarded the prestigious “Most Compelling Story” title at The Aviation Challenge 2025. The award, announced during a global ceremony in Copenhagen, Denmark, recognizes the airline’s innovative circular economy initiative that transforms plastic waste into high-value community products.
The winning entry highlights a partnership between Jambojet and Plastiki Rafiki, a student-led initiative from the International School of Kenya, along with skilled artisans from Nairobi’s Mathare settlement.
The initiative addresses a long-standing challenge in environmental conservation: the “what next” after waste collection. While Jambojet has historically conducted beach clean-ups along the Kenyan coast, the partnership with Plastiki Rafiki provided the critical missing link by upcycling collected waste into practical merchandise.
In its pilot phase, the project diverted over 1,000 kilograms of plastic from landfills. The raw material, collected from beach clean-ups, airport recycling points, and employee collection drives, was processed into bespoke items like keychains and fridge magnets.
Beyond the environmental impact, the project provided hands-on sustainability experience for ten students and created income opportunities for fifteen artisans, demonstrating a holistic model for social and environmental change.
“We are proud of our partnership with Plastiki Rafiki for The Aviation Challenge, a testament to our constant innovation and commitment to sustainability,” said Karanja Ndegwa, Jambojet MD & CEO. “Each year, we are challenged to not only elevate our service but also to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.”
The award-winning story was part of a broader 2025 submission that saw Jambojet test several operational and engagement strategies. On the tarmac, the airline implemented single-engine taxiing, optimized APU shutdowns, and utilized Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) to measurably reduce fuel burn.
In the cabin, passenger engagement was prioritized through sustainability quizzes and the distribution of seeded notebooks, small prompts designed to encourage environmental action long after a flight concludes.
The 2025 challenge also saw Jambojet deepen its collaboration with its parent company, Kenya Airways (KQ). The two airlines expanded a textile upcycling program, transforming retired seat covers and uniforms into travel-inspired products. This partnership included a Business Development Program to equip community designers with the entrepreneurial skills needed to turn circular creativity into viable businesses.
Furthermore, Jambojet engaged with the East African School of Aviation (EASA) to host maintenance exposure sessions, bridging the gap between theoretical aircraft engineering and real-world sustainable operations.
The Aviation Challenge is a global initiative presented by SkyTeam, calling on airlines to participate in a “friendly competition” to accelerate the adoption of sustainable solutions. In 2025, 22 airlines submitted a total of 224 initiatives across 18 categories. This year’s focus on “Impact” saw African carriers take a leading role, with Kenya Airways also securing the award for Most Impactful Solution – Catering.
