Kenya Airways Board backs management against pilots’ accusation - Capital Business
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

The airline’s Chairman Dennis Awori asserted that the Board of Directors fully supports the Chief Executive Officer and the entire management team despite the current challenges/FILE

Kenya

Kenya Airways Board backs management against pilots’ accusation

The airline’s Chairman Dennis Awori asserted that the Board of Directors fully supports the Chief Executive Officer and the entire management team despite the current challenges/FILE

The airline’s Chairman Dennis Awori asserted that the Board of Directors fully supports the Chief Executive Officer and the entire management team despite the current challenges/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 28 – The Kenya Airways management now says a raft of measures have been undertaken to change the current loss making trend even as pressure piles up for its overhaul.

This comes after the Kenya Pilot Association (KALPA) accused the management of failure to revive the national carrier from its financial woes after the historic losses of Sh26.2 billion.

In a statement, the airline’s Chairman Dennis Awori asserted that the Board of Directors fully supports the Chief Executive Officer and the entire management team despite the current challenges.

“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,” he said.

Awori said among measures that have been put in place to rectify the crisis include the proposed downsizing of staff in a bid to reduce the cost of operation.

KALPA’s Secretary General Paul Gichinga on Wednesday during a press briefing referred to the issue as an insult to the spirit of Kenyanization and a setback in national efforts towards vision 2030.

Awori however said the rightsizing is still ongoing and is being done in a very responsible manner in full compliance with labour laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements and consultation with unions.

“It is incorrect to assert without basis the retention of foreigners, we are an international company with employees across our networks who are nationals of those countries,” he said.

KALPA also claimed that forensic audit results have never been concluded and that was the only way of unearthing the deep rooted corruption in the airline.

Awori responded to the allegations claiming that making the interim results public would not only be irresponsible but likely to significantly compromise investigations and the airline’s ability to seek redress, based on the forensic audit results.

“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,” he said.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

KALPA had complained that the airline’s core market (KLM) presence in Africa has significantly increased whereas KQ’s presence in Europe has shrunk, claiming that KLM is not a partner but rather a competitor.

Awori also assured that partnership with KLM is commercially viable for Kenya Airways as a key enabler in achieving their turnaround in the short term.

Advertisement

More on Capital Business