Nairobi — Kenya Airways (KQ) is planning to hike airfares over the next two months to meet the growing cost of fuel and new taxes, airlines executives announced last week.

KQ managing director Mr. Titus Naikuni, said jet fuel had increased three-fold over the last 18 months, while the airline will also be affected by an increase in taxes at London's Heathrow Airport, pushing the cost of travel upwards.

"The airline will soon adjust its ticket prices to enable it meet the rising cost of fuel and airport services," the airlines management announced last Tuesday.

"We have to get money from somewhere. This will either be through increase in fares or fuel surcharge...as for the taxes, we will ask our customers to dig deep into their pockets," said Naikuni.

The airline has set aside Ksh2.7 billion which it will spend on fuel this current financial year.

Naikuni said that the adjustments were likely to be effected in two months, and would vary depending on the airline's destinations.

The airline is the most profitable regional and continental carrier on the continent.