Kenya Airways has selected Branchspace, a boutique travel technology and consulting firm, to deliver new generation digital commerce and transformation consulting services as part of the airline's move to modern retailing experiences. The partnership will underpin Kenya Airways' Project Kifaru digital transformation initiative, jointly delivered alongside Sabre PSS. The announcement signals a significant shift in how the African carrier approaches digital retailing, positioning it as an early adopter of modern airline retailing among SkyTeam members.
Branchspace's Triplake platform will serve as Kenya Airways' primary digital touchpoint from the outset, giving commercial teams direct control over personalized offers across every customer channel. Rather than waiting for a full shift to Offer/Order infrastructure, Kenya Airways will gain best-of-breed ecommerce capabilities immediately, allowing the airline to start operating as a true retailer now while the underlying transition to Offer/Order progresses seamlessly behind the scenes. This approach enables the airline to experiment, iterate, and bring new commercial ideas to market on an ongoing basis, rather than being tied to the pace of legacy technology cycles.
Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways, stated, "This is an important transformation of Kenya Airways' technology and digital retailing capabilities, and we are pleased to work with Branchspace as a best of breed provider in this field. The combination of digital commerce and a new PSS foundation will help us create a more flexible and personalised experience for our customers and staff, and enable a seamless transition towards the future of airline retailing." The partnership is designed to support Kenya Airways' broader ambitions for innovation and growth, turning customer experience into a lasting competitive advantage as the airline continues to expand its network as Africa's leading carrier.
David Turton, Chief Technology Officer at Branchspace, commented, "This partnership reflects exactly what we set out to build at Branchspace: technology that gives airlines control over their own commercial destiny, supported with know how and continuous innovation to remain at the cutting edge. Kenya Airways is taking a bold step in their transformation to a modern retailer, and we're proud that our capabilities will be central to making that vision real from day one." The engagement positions Kenya Airways to become the first airline in Africa, and an early SkyTeam member, to adopt modern airline retailing — supporting the carrier's goals of improving customer experience, increasing direct sales share, growing ancillary revenue, and building a sustainable, future-proof digital and commercial ecosystem.
For businesses in Long Beach and the surrounding area, this development highlights the growing importance of digital transformation in the travel industry. Branchspace, which maintains offices in London, Lisbon, Krakow, Manila, and Gold Coast, serves long-term customers including Aegean Airlines, Air France/KLM, Air Mauritius, British Airways, Finnair, KM Malta Airlines, Lufthansa Group, Oman Air, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Australia. The company's selection by Kenya Airways underscores the demand for specialized technology providers that can help airlines adapt to modern retailing. More information about Branchspace is available at www.branchspace.com, and details about Kenya Airways can be found at www.kenya-airways.com.
The implications extend beyond Kenya Airways. As airlines worldwide grapple with changing customer expectations and the need for personalized offerings, partnerships like this demonstrate a path toward greater agility and commercial control. For the travel technology sector, it reinforces the value of boutique firms that offer specialized platforms and consulting. For Long Beach-area businesses, it serves as a reminder that digital transformation is reshaping industries globally, creating opportunities for companies that can provide innovative solutions and expertise.
