With only six aircraft when it was launched by the Kenyan government - four inherited from the collapsed regional airline and two leased ones - the airline has since been privatized, besides growing its fleet and route network significantly.
"Our 36th anniversary is an opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements that we have had so far, learn from our experiences, and re-energize for the future," CEO Dr Titus Naikuni said during the celebrations in Nairobi.
Naikuni said for its 36th anniversary, the airline has lined up a series of activities and events including rewarding loyal customers with a state of the art Range Rover Sports among other prizes.
The anniversary coincides with Kenya marking 50 years of independence.
The national carrier, flies to over 50 destinations across the world and operates a fleet of 41 aircraft.
Kenya Airways is seeking to more than double the number of its aeroplanes to 115 in the next ten years.
The company said it will also take bank loans to finance the ten year expansion plan that will cost 3.6 billion U.S. dollars when completed.
As part of fleet and destination expansion, Kenya Airways said earlier it will increase its destinations to China from the current two to six as it seeks to tap into the growing passenger and cargo travel between China and Africa.
Last year, Kenya Airways introduced a 120-ton cargo plane that will fly from Nairobi to China, to cater for increasing need for air cargo transport between Africa and China.
During its 36 years of existence, Naikuni said airline has achieved several key milestones that include striking a strategic partnership with KLM in 1995, issuing an Initial Public Offering in 1996 and the Rights Issue in 2012.
"This has seen the airline create jobs and contribute towards developing the Kenyan economy," he said.
Naikuni said the airline’s expansion has seen the airline not only continue to play an integral role in connecting many African countries to the world, but the carrier’s growth is seen as a symbol of Africa’s emergence as an economic force on world stage.
"This has seen it scoop several major global travel industry awards and accolades over the years," Naikuni said.
Kenya Airways is one of the dominant airlines in Africa and is responsible for flying a large number of African traders to Chinese market.
Other major airlines include South Africa Airways, Ethiopia Airways and Egypt Air.
In terms of passenger safety, the national carrier has consistently maintained high standards during the course of its history, achieving the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit certification in 2005, making it the first airline in sub-Saharan Africa to attain the quality standards.
The 36th anniversary comes as the airline implements its 10- year growth plan, Project Mawingu that aims at operating a fleet of 119 aircraft from 35, besides increasing its destinations from 58 to 115 routes by the end of 2021.
Kenya Airways is also part of the Sky Team, a global network of 19 international carriers, having joined in 2007.
Through the network, the airlines cooperate in providing service, easing connections amongst them, thus making flights smoother and more simplified through seamless travel by passengers.
Through Sky Team and its seamless connections, KQ is able to offer its passengers service from 1,000 airports in 187 countries.
"Other value-add services introduced by the airline in recent days include the introduction of the Msafiri Gold Card that will see cardholders accumulate frequent flyer points for any purchases made at Visa points of sale worldwide," Naikuni said.
The airline owns 34 percent stake in Tanzania’s Precision Air a regional carrier flying to key destinations in Southern Africa.
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