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KQ flights to resume after pilots call off strike

According to Kenya Airways, the airline's operations returned to normalcy from 6am Friday and that the re-planning phase is currently underway/FILE

According to Kenya Airways, the airline’s operations returned to normalcy from 6am Friday and that the re-planning phase is currently underway/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 29 – Normal flight operations at the Kenya Airways were set to resume Friday morning after pilots called off their strike after the airline met most of their demands.

In a statement, the Kenya Airline Pilots Association stated that the strike had achieved overwhelming support after some of the airline’s top directors were sent home or forced to resign.

“I am pleased to announce that we have achieved overwhelming compliance while on strike. The very few non-compliant members are known,” General Secretary Paul Gichinga stated.

Gichinga further pointed out that negotiations for the rest of their demands are still ongoing with a deadline of June 1.

“We again urge all members to go beyond the call of duty to crew all flights and restore goodwill during the one month consultative process leading to 1st June 2016,” he said.

“Kindly be advised that negotiations are still ongoing and timelines have been set and restated today by the CS so we expect more management changes by June 1st 2016,” he explained.

The strike led to the cancellation of several flights Thursday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, a move likely to disrupt many more scheduled flights.

According to Kenya Airways, the airline operations returned to normalcy from 6am Friday and that the re-planning phase is currently underway.

“We are currently in the schedule re-planning phase after our pilots withdrew their industrial action that paralyzed operations at our hub in JKIA Nairobi,” a statement from KQ stated.

He appealed to all passengers to check their flight schedules through the airline’s website.

“In the meantime we are advising all guests to ensure they check on their flights prior to departure through our website or 24hr contact centre. We will continue to give you regular updates via our social media pages,” he stated.

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The airline faced delays and was forced to cancel flights in its network following the strike.

READ: KQ faces delays, flight cancellations as pilots strike

The delays and cancellations affected 10 flights.

The Kenya Pilots Association (KALPA) had issued a 48-hour strike notice Tuesday, demanding the immediate resignation of the firm’s CEO Mbuvi Ngunze over alleged mismanagement.

The association, which consists of more than 400 pilots listed gross management, costly agreements signed with travel agents and sale of aircrafts at throw away prices as some of their issues all under Ngunze’s lead.

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