Locked horns continue to be seen between Kenya Airways and its pilots represented by KALPA – the umbrella body that has struck the airline with a strike on November 5 which has paralyzed 95% of its operations.
However, Kenya Airways announced today it has been able to partially restore some flights from Nairobi to Mombasa, Entebbe in Uganda, and Lusaka in Zambia.
In a statement the airline said:
Kenya Airways (KQ) would like to confirm that the following flights are scheduled for today, November 6. The flights will cater for the passengers who are already booked to travel.
MEDIA STATEMENT: Flights For 6th November, 2022 pic.twitter.com/dGQVa6ZEGP
— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) November 6, 2022
In retaliation, KALPA tweeted that, “For clarity, all Kenya Airways pilots who are KALPA members have withdrawn their labour, and will continue to do so until their voice is heard. The public should expect major flight disruptions to continue.”
As the Kenyan government is keen to end the stalemate, the country’s Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called the strike by the pilots “illegal” and “an attempt to sabotage the economy”. He also termed the industrial action as “unfair” to the management team.
KALPA is an umbrella association for pilots in Kenya with membership drawn from major airlines within the country.
The union was initially known as the East African Pilots Association before the breakup of the East African community in 1978.
The association held its first elections in 1978 and registered its first CBA in 1987. KALPA works towards ensuring good working conditions for its members, focuses on flight safety, and acts as a representative voice for professional pilots in Kenya.
