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The move comes after the government ordered KALPA to immediately withdrawal the strike notice adding that the government will use all its levels available to take action against those who defy the directive/FILE

Kenya

Court stops planned strike by Kenya Airways pilots

The move comes after the government ordered KALPA to immediately withdrawal the strike notice adding that the government will use all its levels available to take action against those who defy the directive/FILE

The move comes after the government ordered KALPA to immediately withdrawal the strike notice adding that the government will use all its levels available to take action against those who defy the directive/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 14 – The planned strike by the members of the Kenya Airlines Pilots Association (KALPA) has been stopped by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

Judge Nduma Nderi has ordered that the strike that could result to more losses for the airline, be stopped.

The move comes after the government ordered KALPA to immediately withdrawal the strike notice adding that the government will use all its levels available to take action against those who defy the directive.

A statement from Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia on Thursday indicate that KALPA did not follow the due process in calling for the strike as it did not engage either KQ nor the shareholders prior to the notice.

This is the second strike notice from the pilots this year. During the last strike, the airline lost revenue of up to Sh200million a day and caused severe inconveniences and monetary losses to passengers.

“The government with other shareholders are fully apprised of the KQ turnaround strategy dubbed operation pride and are confident that the company is on a turnaround and are supportive of the initiatives in this strategy advance results released indicate a 58 per cent improvement in its net profit position as well as a breakeven of operating profit,” Macharia added.

KQ have also lamented that the strike by KAPLA is unjustified and uncalled for as it will result in more losses to the airline.

In a press statement, the airline says that the threat is already costing Kenya Airways significant losses as passengers have begun to make cancellations immediately the action was published.

The firm noted that the association 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 explained that in addition, it risked losing critical support of financiers and suppliers that Kenya Airways is in negotiations with.

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The airline in 2016 reported a net loss of Sh26.2 billion up from Sh25.7 billion in the previous financial year.

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