Air France unveils exhibition promoting Kenya-France ties

The exclusive display provides a captivating journey through the airline’s rich heritage.

by DOUGLAS OKIDDY

News18 May 2025 - 14:36

In Summary

Themed ‘A Celebration of Timeless Elegance’, the exhibition pays tribute to the airline’s past engagements with Kenya.
It also honours its rich heritage and timeless elegance through a sensory and emotional journey through time, culture, and distance.

Air France-KLM general Manager for East, southern Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana Joris Holtus, Country Sales Manager, Hildabeta Amiani, Regional commercial director for East, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana, Stephanie Spelle, and French Embassy, Kenya, Head of regional economic service of the consulate of Kenya, Mathieu Bruchon, on looks a replica of Air Planes from display during Air France exhibition promoting Kenya-France Ties at Alliance Française de Nairobi on May 16, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

After decades of connections between France and Kenya, Air France has captured the rich history of human interaction and exploration, connecting past achievements with the present of positioning itself as a global leading aviation company.

Led by Mathieu Bruchon, the Head of Regional Economic Service of the French consulate in Kenya, Air France organised an exhibition that was officially launched at the Alliance Française de Nairobi on Thursday.

The captivating two-week exhibition is meant to celebrate aviation history and Kenya’s ties with France.

Themed ‘A Celebration of Timeless Elegance’, the exhibition pays tribute to the airline’s past engagements with Kenya while honoring its rich heritage and timeless elegance through a sensory and emotional journey through time, culture, and distance.

It fuses aviation history with the richness of Franco-Kenyan cultural ties, offering visitors a unique journey through time, from the golden age of air travel to the contemporary cultural exchange between France and Kenya, facilitated by Air France.

The exclusive display provides a captivating journey through the airline’s rich heritage, featuring memorabilia, vintage posters, and classic uniforms that showcase the spirit of French sophistication.

Alliance Francaise director Denis Charles Courdent, French Embassy, Kenya Head of regional economic service of the consulate of Kenya Mathieu Bruchon, Air France-KLM Air France-KLM Country Sales Manager, Hildabeta Amiani, Regional commercial director Stephanie Spelle and General Manager Joris Holtus cutting reborn to officially open the Air France exhibition at Alliance Française de Nairobi on May 16, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

A standout feature of the exhibition is a display of Air France uniforms over the years, from the petrol-blue military-inspired suits of the 1940s to the chic-couture garments of the present crews, with all the designs used across the seven decades have been the products of world-leading designers and have made Air France crew recognizable in any airport for their allure and style.

During his speech, Air France-KLM General Manager Joris Holtus said, “Exhibitions like this serve as living bridges between past and present, and between people and places. Through art, history, and shared memory, we celebrate a partnership between Air France and Nairobi that is driven by elegance, innovation, and mutual respect.”

"Air France is a symbol of French elegance, a pioneer of innovations and we proudly connect cultures, continents, and in particular Kenya with France," he continued

Models showcasing the different uniforms Air France has had since it commenced its operations during Air France exhibition promoting Kenya-France Ties at Alliance Française de Nairobi on May 16, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

"Air France returning to Nairobi to reestablish its presence in this market, together with KLM and Kenya Airways, is a testament to our commitment to Kenya and East Africa. It recognises and appreciates Nairobi as a destination to connect and to grow our network and to personalize our customer journey."

In 2018, Air France marked a pivotal return to Nairobi after an 18-year hiatus, despite the long distance absence, many have over the years gone ahead to highlight the deeper, enduring relationship between Air France and Kenya.

Alliance Francaise director Denis Charles Courdent said, "We are more than a language centre, welcoming more than 3,000 students a year; we are also a space where Kenyan and French voices meet and collaborate."

French Embassy, Kenya Head of regional economic service of the consulate of Kenya Mathieu Bruchon and Air France-KLM general Manager Joris Holtus during Air France exhibition promoting Kenya-France Ties at Alliance Française de Nairobi on May 16, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY

The exhibition further reflects the airline’s commitment to enriching lives in the regions it serves, creating a platform for engagement with art and culture, enhancing community connection, and promoting both physical and mental well-being.

This is in line with the findings of a recent study by leading economics consulting firm, Frontier Economics and the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health.

The study found that engaging with art can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhance productivity, and improve quality of life, all while delivering tangible financial benefits.

The visitors to the Alliance Française will encounter French Love for the Kenyan Spirit, A Fusion of French Elegance and Kenyan Warmth, The Art of the Uniform and A Journey of 6,545 Kilometers over 79 Years, that captures the essence of Air France’s cultural synergy with Kenya, and the personal stories that have taken flight between the two nations over the last 79 years – Air France’s first flight to Nairobi was in 1946 and the first direct service in the route commenced in 1975.

The exhibition runs from May 16 – May 30, is timely as it follows recent research showing that consuming culture, including through art exhibitions, is good for health and wellbeing, enhances quality of life, and boosts productivity.