An Industrial Action Totally Uncalled For- KQ Management

Kenya Airways management has termed the industrial action called by its pilots as uncalled for at a time when the recovery strategy is bearing fruits.

In Press Statement sent to media houses, the management reaffirmed its commitment to regaining the pride of Africa by decisively reversing the downward financial performance spiral that it has been on.

The Kenya Airline Pilot Association (KALPA) had issued a seven-day strike notice if the top management, including the Chief Executive Office Mbuvi Ngunze would have not resigned from their position within that period.

The board on management has disagreed with the decision and rejected the KALPA interpretation of Kenya Airway’s current situation terming them unrealistic and with no facts.

According to the management, in their press release, the achievements of Kenya Airways as at 30^th of September 2016 will be realized during the release of the half-year results that are set to be released at the end of this month of October.

The management says that the results reflect:

• An increase of 89,000 guests to 2.23 million compared to the same period last year.
• An improvement in cabin factor by 3 percent to 71 percent.
• An operating profit improvement of 2 billion shillings.
• A reduction in net losses of 7 billion shillings, from 12 billion shillings to 5 billion shillings.

The management further said that the threatened action is already costing Kenya Airways significant losses as passengers have begun to make cancellations immediately the action was published. “If KALPA does not forthwith retract its statement, Kenya Airways will have to immediately stop selling tickets on its network, given the costs associated with selling tickets and not carrying these passengers.” Read part of the statement.

The last industrial action by KALPA in April 2016 cost Kenya Airways 200 million shillings or (US$2 million) in revenues and cost in a single day and with the recent threat, the airline risks losing critical financiers too.