Crisis has gripped Kenyan aviation following a foiled talk with the Kenya Airways (KQ) management to streamline working conditions of pilots in Kenya.
The stalemete has left the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), Kenya’s pilots watchdog no choice but to direct all member pilots to boycott work beginning November 5, 2022.
“There shall be no Kenya Airways aircraft departing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) flown by KALPA member,” said KALPA Secretary General Capt. Murithi Nyaga.
This is likely to hit hard the airline’s revenue streams as pilots demand their working conditions to be improved even as it struggles to streamline revenues amid profit losses.
Hundreds of passengers around the world who intend to use East Africa’s biggest airline will be forced to seek other alternatives as pilots stay home.
The pilots have been calling for among other demands, Provident Fund and a total overhaul of KQ management.
KQ management has been accused of pilot victimisation and harassment with some pilots being sacked for questioning the management.
Allan Kilavuka, the Chief Executive Officer said the reinstatement of the Provident Fund would take time since the airline cannot afford.
“As Kenya Airways we were on the negotiating table with the pilots and they (KALPA) refused to bend on their demands making it hard to reach a resolution,” said Kilavuka.
On November 1, KQ chairman Michael Joseph and Kilavuka brushed off calls to step down. Joseph’s contract at the airline was renewed for another three years this year in July.
