NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1 – Kenya Airways (KQ) Chief Executive Allan Kilavuka has warned that the planned strike by pilots will jeopardize the airline’s recovery plans.
Coming on the back of Covid-19’s economic impact, Kilavuka said that the airline cannot afford additional disruptions.
KQ suffered immense financial losses due to tough coronavirus restriction measures such as flight bans and closure of borders after the number of travelers dropped immensely, forcing it to ground planes.
His sentiments come as a 14-day industrial action issued by the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa) is set to end tomorrow.
Kalpa had accused the airline for pilot victimization and harassments as well as unilateral withdrawal of the staff provident fund, non-adherence to Kenya Civil Aviation Regulations and leadership and governance challenges.
In a press briefing earlier today, Kalpa said it will call off the strike if its grievances were addressed.
In a rejoinder, Kilavuka said that the airline was open on talks with the pilots if they obey a court order that was issued on Monday.
According to a 2020 statistic, only 10 per cent of KQ’s workforce consist of pilots. However, their wage comprises 45 per cent of the firm’s employees.
In its 2022 half-year financial result, the national carrier reported a loss of Sh9.9billion from a Sh11.5billion in a similar period in 2021.
Heavy losses have forced the flyer to rely on state bailouts year-after-year with experts warning it not unsustainable.
To bounce back to profitability, Kilavuka said that the firm sought to reduce cost of leasing as well as operations to 10 per cent by 2024.
