Kenya Airways’ pilots issue 7-day strike notice over impending sack

Kenya Airways pilots’ union has called for a strike in protest at the airline’s turnaround strategy of the management, which plans to scale down cost of operation by selling some assets and reducing number of staff.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) issued a seven-day strike notice on Tuesday demanding changes to Kenya Airways’ management.

“KALPA members will from 5 am local time, Tuesday 18 October 2016, down their tools until a comprehensive change of guard at Kenya Airways is effected”, KALPA Secretary General Captain Paul Gichinga said.

KALPA wants Kenya Airways’ chairman Dennis Awori and chief executive Mbuvi Ngunze to resign, saying they have no confidence in their ability to turnaround the airline.

Kenya Air, part owned by Air France-KLM, has been selling assets, including aircraft, and wants staff layoffs as it tries to stay in operation after three years of losses.