Chief executive Mbuvi Ngunze says the exodus has been abated following recent changes at the cash-strapped airline, but acknowledged staff shortages on some of its aircraft.
Kenya Airways has reported successive full-year losses for the four years to March 2016.
About 70 engineers have left KQ in the past 12 months.
Kenya Airways says the exit of pilots to join rival carriers has slowed down after the airline implemented some of their demands.
Chief executive Mbuvi Ngunze said on Friday Middle East carriers have in the past year poached more than 70 Kenya Airways pilots, baiting them with higher remuneration packages.
The pilots joined the likes of Qatar Airlines and Emirates. Others are said to have had interest in going to Egypt, South Africa and Ethiopia.
Mr Ngunze says the exodus has been abated following recent changes at the cash-strapped airline, but acknowledged staff shortages on some of its aircraft.
“We have seen the attrition rate reduce recently,” Mr Mbuvi, who is set to be replaced as the airline’s chief executive by the end of next month, said at the Friday press briefing in Nairobi.
The national carrier, known as KQ by its international code, had 523 pilots as of March 2015 but that number dropped to 489 pilots a year later, representing loss of about 30 pilots.
Many more have left in the current financial year.
Kenya Airways has reported successive full-year losses for the four years to March 2016.
The national carrier has sacked about 118 staff to cut costs.
The carrier’s human resource difficulty is that, while it may have an adequate number of pilots, some of them are certified to fly only certain models of aircraft — creating a deficit.
“The fact of the matter is that we are a bit tight with some aircraft and we are talking to the pilots association on how we can onboard some short-term people to be able to cover the gaps,” said Mr Ngunze.
The national carrier has also suffered a similar attrition in its technical department, with engineers and technicians decamping to join the better-paying Middle East airlines.
About 70 engineers have left KQ in the past 12 months. This department normally has 600 employees.
Michael Joseph, airline’s chairman, says they plan to offer these engineers better pay packages in order to return home.
“We have a plan to attract them to come back from places like Dubai where they are paid really well and in a tax-free environment,” said Mr Joseph, adding that KQ’s board has already signed off on enhanced remuneration package.
“If for one reason or another, we are unable to do this, we shall get engineers from aircraft manufacturers who offer similar services. This will ensure that our aircraft are always flying without compromising standards.”
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