Kenya Airways NDT Department Achieves Accredited as Africa’s First Aviation Inspection Body

In a ground breaking achievement for the aviation sector, Kenya Airways' Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Technical Department was in February 2024 accredited by the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) as a Type A Inspection Body under ISO/IEC 17020:2012, making Kenya Airways the first NDT-accredited inspection body in Africa for the aviation industry. The accreditation covers visual inspection, automated inspection, and physical inspection for radiographic testing of industrial components.

This recognition ensures that Kenya Airways’ NDT services meet internationally recognized standards, reinforcing safety, reliability, and technical excellence across the aviation and other industrial sectors.

According to George Kamal, Kenya Airways Group COO, and Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways CEO, the accreditation:

"Expands Kenya Airways’ capabilities in NDT beyond aviation, ensuring strict adherence to quality standards during inspections."

(From Left to Right) George Kamal, Kenya Airways Group COO, and Allan Kilavuka Kenya Airways CEO, Joyce Gichuru (Ag CEO KENAS), Susannah M- Ochieng, Chief Manager, Certification Inspection and Verification

What Is a Type A Inspection Body?

According to ISO/IEC 17020:2012, a Type A Inspection Body operates independently, with no commercial, financial, or management influences that could compromise its impartiality. This means Kenya Airways NDT can perform inspections with complete objectivity and integrity, ensuring unbiased results.

For the aviation industry — where safety is paramount — this level of independence is critical. Aircraft components endure extreme conditions, including vibrations, cyclic loading, and thermal variations, all of which can cause structural defects like cracks, corrosion, and material fatigue. Non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques help detect these flaws early, preventing catastrophic failures and ensuring that repairs or replacements are done in strict adherence to safety manuals.

The accreditation covers:

• Visual Inspection
• Automated Inspection
• Physical Inspection for Radiographic Testing

These inspection techniques will be conducted at Kenya Airways PLC Block E NDT Section Client site, allowing KQ NDT to extend its expertise beyond its hangars and across various industries.

NDT Applications Across Industries

Kenya Airways’ NDT team is not only European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 approved (D1 rating) but is staffed with highly qualified professionals who bring extensive hands-on experience to every inspection. This expertise will benefit a wide range of industries:

• Aerospace: Inspection of aircraft structures and materials for airlines across Africa.
• Petrochemical & Gas: Pipeline and storage tank inspections for Kenya Pipeline, Tullow Oil, and Kenya Petroleum Industries to detect cracks and corrosion.
• Power Generation: Wall thickness measurements for KENGEN Ltd to assess pressure vessels and boiler integrity.
• Steel Industry: Testing billets, plates, and structural sections for manufacturers like Steel Structure Ltd, East Africa Foundry Works Ltd, and Devki Steel Mills.
• Railways: Fatigue crack testing for locomotive axles and heat-induced crack detection for Kenya Railways and Rift Valley Railways.

This vast scope underscores how Kenya Airways' accredited NDT services will enhance safety, prolong equipment lifespans, and support sustainable industrial growth.

A Transformative Moment for African Aviation

The accreditation of Kenya Airways as Africa’s first NDT-accredited inspection body for aviation signals to global airlines, maintenance organizations, and industry players that African aviation is evolving to meet — and even exceed — international standards.

As Technical Director Gilbert Bett of Kenya Airways aptly put it:

"At KQ NDT, we believe that quality blended with excellent services is key to our business."

This dedication to quality, backed by KENAS accreditation, will help elevate Kenya Airways — and Africa — as a hub for world-class aviation maintenance and industrial inspections.

Why Accreditation Matters

Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020:2012 is more than just a badge of honor. It brings tangible benefits:

• Trust and Credibility: Clients can rely on accurate, unbiased inspection results.
• Regulatory Compliance: Accredited inspections ensure adherence to safety regulations and industry best practices.
• Market Access: Accreditation opens doors to international partnerships, as many global organizations require inspections from accredited bodies.
• Continuous Improvement: The accreditation process drives ongoing technical development and process optimization.

For clients of Kenya Airways NDT, this means peace of mind — knowing that their components are inspected to the highest possible standards, whether they’re flying through the skies or powering vital infrastructure on the ground.

As KENAS continues to champion accreditation, it solidifies Kenya’s position as a regional leader in conformity assessment. This reinforces its mission to promote quality infrastructure in Kenya and the region, enabling local industries to compete globally.