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Court orders Kenya Airways pilots to return to work

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Kenya Airways has welcomed a court decision compelling striking pilots to resume their work for the carrier.

The employment and labour relations court ruling follows a walkout by cockpit crews that began on 5 November.

Kenya Airways says the court has ordered pilots to return to work on 9 November.

“We thank the court for the expeditious ruling that now allows [Kenya Airways] to resume its normal operations,” it states.

“We commit to complying with the court’s directions.”

However,  the airline warns that the company will have to “redouble its efforts” to restructure and reduce costs, and recover the time and money lost.

“The path to recovery will be difficult,” it says.

Kenya Airways had barely a couple of dozen pilots available at times, and the majority of its network was suspended.

It also stated that it would pursue contempt proceedings against the Kenya Airline Pilots Association for “inciting” the “unlawful” strike, and causing revenue losses to the carrier.

Members of the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) — a union that represents about 400 pilots at the carrier – went on strike on Saturday after failing to resolve a dispute over their pensions contributions and settlement of deferred pay.

The walkout led to the cancellation of dozens of flights and stranded thousands of passengers.

On Monday, a judge of the employment and labour court ordered 11 union officials to appear before her on Tuesday to explain why they disobeyed the court’s orders, which restrained the pilots from starting the industrial action.

During a court session in the morning on Tuesday, the judge ordered the airline and the union to go back to the court by 2:30 p.m. with an agreement resolving the dispute.

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