Statement from Kenya Airways Chair: Pilots’ latest demands

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), under the leadership of Paul Gichinga and Njoroge Murimi, issued a statement demanding that Kenya Airways terminate its commercial agreements with Dutch n

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), under the leadership of Paul Gichinga and Njoroge Murimi, issued a statement demanding that Kenya Airways terminate its commercial agreements with Dutch national carrier KLM while still insisting that the current CEO must resign. The reaction by Kenya Airways’ Chairman of the Board, Ambassador Dennis Awori, was swift and to the point. He released the following statement in response:


Start quote:

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) issued a press statement we would like to address.

We acknowledge that Kenya Airways is going through a difficult phase. The leadership has given a clear direction on how to return Kenya Airways to profitability in a highly challenging business environment. The result of this has been a significant reduction in operational losses by 75% in FY 2015/16.

In addition, Kenya Airways has launched its turnaround program Operation PRIDE in November 2015 targeting more than USD 200M of recurring profit improvements which is on track.

We have been consistently communicating in good faith the progress of this program to all our stakeholders, including our pilots. In light of this, accusations made by KALPA are in bad faith and factually incorrect.

1. Staff rationalization exercise

· The staff rationalization exercise is being undertaken to right size Kenya Airways and is focused on both Kenya and the network.

· The rightsizing is still ongoing and is being done in a very responsible manner in full compliance with labor laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements and consultation with unions.

· It is incorrect to assert without basis the retention of foreigners. Kenya Airways is an international company with employees across its network who are nationals of those countries.

2. Deloitte Consulting Forensic Audit on Kenya Airways

· KALPA has already been informed on several occasions that forensic audit is still ongoing and has been offered an opportunity to discuss this matter directly with the Board

· Making the interim results public would not only be irresponsible but is likely to greatly compromise investigations and the airline’s ability to seek redress, legal and otherwise, based on the forensic audit results

3. Change management

· Kenya Airways Board of Directors fully supports the CEO and the current leadership team of Kenya Airways.

· Moreover, there have been several changes in the management in the recent past to set up Kenya Airways for success and we will continue evaluating and making any changes we deem necessary.

4. Partnership with KLM

· KLM is both a shareholder and an important business partner to Kenya Airways.

· As is the practice in the airline industry, strategic partnerships are a key source of sustainable growth as they allow the airlines to reach scale and expand network at a lower cost.

· Partnership with KLM is commercially viable for Kenya Airways.

· We believe that this partnership is a key enabler in achieving our turnaround in the short term. The business is looking at all opportunities for improvements, including ways to further strengthen our partnership with KLM.

· All employees at Kenya Airways have been selected based on merit and KLM as our partner and shareholder has assisted in identifying the right talent for key positions at Kenya Airways.

· The fact that Kenya Airways and KLM have benefitted over the last 20 years financially is not in question.

· Our network strategy is based on the airline’s view of the level of capacity we need to avail to return to profitability.

· The airline has a comprehensive succession plan and all management director interviews and appointments are undertaken by the Board.

Kenya Airways is on the path to recovery as evidenced by the vastly improved operational performance. This success has been a collective effort and Kenya Airways is grateful to all its employees, shareholders and financiers who support the ongoing turnaround.

Pilots are one of the crucial stakeholders of the airline and are well embedded in its day to day business. We urge our pilots and their representative union KALPA, to constructively and responsibly engage in supporting Kenya Airways in achieving its turnaround.

We are now embarking on an important next phase on capital optimization that requires our undivided attention and focus not sideshows.

AMB DENNIS AWORI
CHAIRMAN – KENYA AIRWAYS

End quote



It is expected that both board and management of Kenya Airways, but most notably the Kenyan Government, will address the latest KALPA demands with the goal being to get on with putting the airline back on a sound financial footing.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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