While Kenya’s aviation industry has been facing numerous challenges over the years, the challenge of turning the national airline around has been exacerbated by restrictions on international travel as a result of a relentless covid pandemic.
High on the agenda for a new Kenya Airways is a plan to nationalize the airline as well as a restructuring of the operation and workforce.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) has been very vocal about their displeasure in the status quo. In a recent memo, KALPA communicated a proposal for the Kenya Airways board to be comprised of, but not limited to a nominee of the association with a minimum of 10 years international flying experience and rated on the Boeing 787 or 777.
KALPA says that the board should have an aviation maintenance science expert, licensed aircraft engineer with Boeing training and rating in the B787, and an aircraft acquisition, lease and financing expert.
To add to the list, KALPA proposes that horticulture, floriculture, meat and livestock exporters should also be offered a seat in the board, being key players in cargo transport. The board should further have an air cargo management expert, a nominee from hotel and restaurants association of tourism and hotel sectors, airport operations expert or Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) representative and an aviation auditor.
“KQ’s mission statement should align with Kenya’s aspirations and the key economic drivers such as leisure and business tourism, agricultural exports and regional integration,” KALPA led by general secretary, Captain Muriithi Nyagah, says in the document.
The current KQ board composition is comprised of individuals from the private sector, military and government who are not necessarily aviation experts.
Meanwhile, KQs nationalization plan currently tabled in parliament seeks to involve Cabinet Secretaries for Transport, Interior, National Treasury as well as the Attorney General, and the Kenya Air force commander as the proposed members of the council, which will create policies relating to the aviation sector and also assess the country’s actual and potential civil aviation capabilities.
Photo: Courtesy Biznakenya
By Victor Shalton Odhiambo
