Court Allows KQ To Train Pilots Abroad

The High Court of Kenya has dismissed a petition seeking to block Kenya airways from training its pilots in South Africa.

Kenya Airways has been sending pilots under its Ab initio pilot trainee program to South Africa for training due to the quality of facilities the country hosts, and the capacity of instructors. The program was, however, suspended indefinitely in 2020 due to covid 19 pandemic.

The petition to stop KQ from sending pilot trainees abroad was filed by Busia senator Okiya Omtatah who argued that the airline is a beneficiary of public funds and its wrong to use taxpayers’ money to send pilots for training outside the country yet there are training grounds in Kenya.

Justice Hedwig Ong’und said Omtatah did not provide a piece of evidence that the monies the airlines received from the government are specifically for the training program.

In its response, Kenya Airways, denied the claims that it uses public money to fund the training, clarifying that it obtains loans from a Co-op bank. The airline noted that there are no ground-based navigation aids at Wilson Airport, which is where the majority of the Kenyan-approved training organizations are located.

The court said the orders sought by Omtatah had been overtaken by events since the program had been suspended, adding that the court cannot, therefore issue an order blocking the airline.

“Suppose this court grants the orders sought, can they be enforced? The answer is a resounding no as the orders are pegged on whether the program will be revived or not,” she said.

KQ on December 11, 2019, invited applications for trainee pilot positions under its Ab initio pilot trainee program. Shortlisted candidates are sent for training in South Africa where they enroll in a 27-month pilot training course at a leading aviation school in the country, a program that is financed by CO-operative bank. The airline has been sending pilot trainees to South Africa since 1998.