Kenya Airways which is the flag carrier airline of Kenya is reportedly encountering some operational difficulties as its Pilots have moved to strike. The decision is believed to be in protest against the current conditions in their workplace.
The news is coming at a time when Kenya Airways also known as Kenya Airways Ltd., is looking to increase the frequency of flights and resume plying its old routes during the incoming festive period in a bid to utilize the corresponding increase in the number of travelers.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) made it known that flights from 6am today; the 5th of November 2022, no Kenya Airways aircraft piloted by its members will be leaving the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
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The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) is reportedly carrying out the strike in protest of a move to suspend contributions to its provident fund which according to them, is a contractual agreement between Kenya Airways and all its employees.
The pilots stated that Kenya Airways since 2020, made a unilateral decision to stop the employers’ contributions and employees’ contributions and opted to not continue the retirement benefits scheme after.
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The strike by the pilots is now an obstacle to the plan by Kenya Airways to bounce back by 2023 and hit the numbers it did before the Covid pandemic began, through new routes and more flights. The airline had in 2019 hit a total of more than five (5) million passengers.
For its London route Kenya Airways had earlier in the week increased the amounts of flights throughout the winter period as it looked to regain the numbers lost as a result of restrictions imposed during the Coronavirus pandemic. With the increase, it now flies to London eleven (11) times a week. It previously flew to the destination five (5) times a week.
According to the airline, “The increased flight frequencies will cater to this route’s increased demand and provide KQ customers with increased flight options in the upcoming winter season.”
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Kenya Airways also launched a direct Mombasa to Dubai flight route during the festive period to benefit from the increase in demand.
It added that, “KQ will operate daily flights with two on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (morning and evening). Flights are open for booking via KQ’s website, travel agents and online travel agents.”
However the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) which represents around four hundred (400) pilots revealed that the Kenya Airways management was to blame for their decision to strike due to their grievances that have been withdrawn.
On Friday the 4th of November 2022 a statement by the General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA); Captain Murithi Nyaga stated that, “We hoped that the management of the airline would soften its hard stance and engage in a negotiation on the issues raised. However … Kenya Airways management has not made any meaningful attempt to engage.”
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) previously issued a fourteen (14) day strike notice on the 19th of October 2022.
The management of Kenya Airways will now have to tackle the strike by its pilots first before anything else.
The management of Kenya Airways in a statement issued on Friday the 4th of November 2022 said that strike will cost it 2.47 million United States Dollars (which is around 294.5 million Kenyan Shillings) per day and said the decision by the pilots is unfortunate.
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Michael Joseph who is the Chairman of Kenya Airways revealed that the airline has been cooperating with the Ministry of Labour and the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) to sort out the issues brought forward by the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA).
In his words, “The board has unanimously come to the opinion that none of the grievances advanced by Kalpa merits an industrial strike and firmly holds that all CBAs (collective bargaining agreements) must align with the need to restructure the airline’s operations towards profitability and efficiency.”
Observers believe that could suggest that the financial situation at Kenya Airways comes first when it comes to negotiating with its pilots or other staff.
The chairman stated that, “We wish to reiterate that industrial action is unnecessary at this point as it will delay and disrupt the financial and operational recovery and cause reputational damage to Kenya Airways.”
He went on to state that, “The board underlines its full support and confidence in [CEO] Mr [Allan] Kilavuka and the management in handling the matters at hand and the company.”
On Wednesday the 2nd of November 2022 a Kenyan Labour Court moved to suspend the strike notice issued earlier by the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) despite the Pilots insisting that they would go on with the strike if their demands are not met.
In recent years Kenya Airways has been facing financial difficulties. It defaulted on its aircraft purchase loans from the American Exim Bank. The loan was worth 841.6 million United States Dollars which is around 100.35 billion Kenyan Shillings when converted.
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According to reports the Kenyan government made a guaranty of 525 million United States Dollars (which is around 62.6 billion Kenyan Shillings) and offered to pay the amount. This week however, Kenya Airways disputed the amount even after the National Treasury had placed it in its report.
Kenya Airways has placed its focus on restructuring its fleet of aircrafts, going as far as selling a number of aircrafts and sub leasing others to airlines so as to get back to profitability.
Statistics from Kenya Airways revealed that in last nine (9) months its fleet size dropped from 43 as at the 31st of December 2021 to a current total of 41 aircrafts.
Hoteliers have praised the move to commence flights to Dubai from the Moi International Airport during the festive period which will also be a peak period for tourists, stating that it will have a positive impact on the industry.
Hoteliers have also asked for an open skies poilicy which will make it possible for international airlines to land at the Moi International Airport which is the largest airport in the Coastal region.
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The Director of the Kenya Tourism Board; Bobby Kamani said, “The announcement of KQ’s direct flights from Mombasa to Dubai from 1 December 2022 is a welcome change and brings us a step closer to the open skies policy that all tourism stakeholders are strongly advocating for.”
The Director stated that there would be more value from an open skies policy adding that, “The tourism fraternity looks forward to the resumption of flights to Mombasa by Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa and the introduction of FlyDubai, to continue the momentum.”
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In his words, “It is not just for tourism by way of lower air fares but for the economy as a whole with lower freight costs and an increased interest by international investors to invest in Kenya as they see the country being more accessible than ever before.”
The Chairman of the Diani Hospitality Owners Association; Mohammed Hersi also praised the Kenya Airways’ decision to resume the direct flights from Mombasa to Dubai stating that, “The Dubai-Mombasa four times a week flight is progressive.”
The Chairman added that, “We can’t wait for the following – London-Mombasa even three times a week is good enough, Amsterdam-Mombasa, Milan-Mombasa to serve Malindi and Watamu and Paris-Mombasa flights.”
Industry partners also want Kenya Airways to begin direct flights from Mombasa to Johannesburg in South Africa and from Mombasa to Mumbai in India.
Kenya Airways has also not yet launched flights to Rome, Italy and Milan, Italy. Said flights were initially set to commence in June of 2022. Said flights have not begun due to the drop in demand which is a result of the not so speedy recovery of the sector after the pandemic.
Among airlines that have requested for licenses to fly to Mombasa directly include Turkish Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar, Emirates, and Fly Dubai.
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As it stands, Ugandan Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines are the only other airlines that fly to Mombasa directly.
Chairman of the Kenya Coast Tourism Association; Victor Shitakha said, “If these airlines fly to Mombasa, we will have traffic to fill our beds and further create employment.”
Back in 2021 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced direct flights between Mombasa and Amsterdam. The move was however stopped after the airline was unable to get rights to fly directly to Mombasa.
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