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KQ pilots stage go-slow, disrupt flights

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A Kenya Airways flight. Standoff between KQ and the pilots' association has caused disruptions in flight schedules and some flights have been cancelled. Photo/FILE

Kenya Airlines Pilot Association (KAPLA) on Saturday withdrew its goodwill with the management of Kenya Airways leading to a disruption of flight schedules, inconveniencing travellers.

A statement from Kenya Airways said that the withdrawal of goodwill came as collective bargain agreement negotiations between the association and airline were still going on.

Kenya Airways corporate communications manager Chris Karanja told Business Daily that the disruptions were mainly due to delays.

“I do not have the exact figure (of cancellations) but most are delays,” said Mr Karanja.

KQ in a statement said that the country has traditionally had a shortage of pilots and that the airline has negotiated an agreement with KALPA that requires its members to be voluntarily available to work for certain hours during off time - which is known as goodwill - but within legal limits.

“The standoff has been caused by a misinterpretation of the rules on working procedures leading to the current disagreement between the Union and Kenya Airways management,” said the statement.

Kenya Airways managing director Titus Naikuni in the statement said that the withdrawal of goodwill may cause some disruptions in flight schedules and some flights may have to be cancelled.

The national carrier has been in negotiations with the pilots association on various matters including the working hours and the hiring of expatriates.

In July this year, the pilots association warned that it would call for a strike over the national carrier’s plan to hire expatriate pilots to support its expansion drive.

READ: KQ faces pilots’ strike over hiring of expatriates

Captain Paul Njoroge, the KALPA’s vice-chairman, in a phone interview had told Business Daily that if the airline went ahead with plans to hire expatriate pilots, the association would issue a strike notice.

The airline has in the past said that the country lacks pilots with the relevant experience to become captains who can fly in specific planes like Boeing and Embraer but the association maintains that the country has enough trained personnel.