Air Afrique and Nike Take Flight With the Air Max RK61

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A fusion of history, culture, and design

Nike has joined forces with Air Afrique, the cultural collective dedicated to Afro-diasporic arts, to unveil a bold new sneaker silhouette: the Air Max RK61. Inspired by the now-defunct Pan-African airline Air Afrique, the collaboration reimagines what “Air” means both culturally and stylistically. The RK61 bridges sport and craft, blending elements of a dress shoe with classic Nike innovation. Its design starts with a zip-up upper borrowed from the Air Max Sunder, available in “Coconut Milk” and “Black” colorways. The sole features a visible Air unit shaped like jet engines, symbolizing flight and mobility.

Design details that honor aviation

The sneaker is filled with subtle nods to aviation and Air Afrique’s legacy: - A zipper pull with the Air Afrique logo - Jacquard sockliners patterned after vintage aircraft seats - Morse code spelling out “Air Afrique” along the outsole - The RK61 name, referencing the airline’s original flight code “RK” and its founding year, 1961 Air Afrique member and magazine editor Ahmadou-Bamba Thiam described the project as a symbolic elevation: “The notion of Air is deeply connected to our history… We also speak of Air as a metaphorical elevation through culture and humanity. This concept was our starting point for the product design and was central to creating the elegant silhouette of the Air Max RK61.”

Release details

The Air Afrique x Nike Air Max RK61 will launch globally on October 9, 2025, via Nike SNKRS and select retailers. Pricing starts at $210 USD.