Kenya Airlines Pilots Association has called for an indefinite strike, beginning October 18, to protest what it described as poor management at the troubled national carrier Kenya Airways.
Kenya Airways said the planned strike by KALPA is unjustified and uncalled for as it will result in more losses to the airline.
The airline said in a statement:
“Kenya Airways has demonstrated its commitment to regaining its position as the Pride of Africa, by decisively reversing the downward financial performance spiral that it has been on. The Board and the management therefore disagree with, and reject Kenya Airline Pilot Association (KALPA) interpretation of Kenya Airways’ current situation”.
“In the above context of a comprehensive turnaround involving many stakeholders supporting the airline in its journey, the threatened Industrial Action called for by KALPA is unjustified and uncalled for. It is also has no basis and is outside the scope of KALPA’s collective bargaining agreement”.
Kenya Airways warned 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”, the airline added.
The last industrial action by KALPA in April 2016 cost Kenya Airways Kshs 200 million (US$2 million) in revenues and cost in a single day.
“In addition we risk losing critical support of financiers and suppliers that Kenya Airways is in negotiations with. We will continue to seek an amicable resolution of all issues raised by the union and urges patience in the matter”.
Kenya Airways currently flies to 54 destinations worldwide, 44 of which are in Africa and carries over four million passengers annually.