Mr. Don Smith

Mr Don Smith, the Chief Executive Officer of Airkenya, said, the airline was on the lookout for ways of meeting travellers' needs.

Airkenya's Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Don Smith, yesterday announced that the airline has suspended the use of Cessna Caravans.

Smith in a statement said the bold move was based on the advice of the airline's Head of Safety.

"Following eleven accidents since October 2002 - in various parts of the world - the AirKenya Safety Board called for an urgent investigation into the incidents," said Smith.

He said efforts by the board to establishing the cause of the accidents failed prompting the board's decision to suspend the use of the aircraft.

"It was thereafter that Mr Smith asked his Head of Safety to review the situation and suspension was recommended as the safest course of action," read in part the statement.

Smith said that they were no closer to knowing what caused these accidents and that they could not continue to operate these aircraft without some form of reassurance.

"Safety is our number one consideration and as such we have a duty of care to our passengers to stop operating the Cessna Caravan," he said.

He, however, noted that the continuity of the airline's services will not be affected as they will be operated by a fleet of two engine Twin Ofters and four engine Dash 7's.

Don Smith, the CEO of Airkenya said,"We are always on the lookout for opportunities to meet the requirements of air traveller.

A statement by Air Kenya Aviation Limited Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Don Smith, said the plane crashed on take-off.