Kenya Airways says KLM partnership here to stay

Some critics have in the past viewed the Kenya Airways/KLM partnership with doubt. PHOTO | FILE |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By SANDRA CHAO-BLASTO

In Summary

• KQ refutes claims made by pilots yesterday that its management was bringing in KLM employees without a competitive recruitment process.

Troubled carrier Kenya Airways, popularly known as KQ, has defended its partnership with Dutch airline KLM, saying that it is still commercially viable.

KQ board Chairman, Dennis Awori, in a statement to newsrooms said that KLM was both a shareholder and business partner of the airline, adding that the relationship was crucial if Kenya Airways needed to expand its network at a lower cost.

“We believe that this partnership is a key enabler in achieving our turnaround in the short term. Our network strategy is based on the airline’s view of the level of capacity we need to avail to return to profitability,” he said.

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Mr Awori refuted claims made by pilots yesterday through their lobby (KALPA) that Kenya Airways' management was bringing in KLM employees without a competitive recruitment process.

“All employees at Kenya Airways have been selected based on merit and KLM as our partner and shareholder has assisted in identifying the right talent for key positions at Kenya Airways. The airline has a comprehensive succession plan and all management director interviews and appointments are undertaken by the Board,” he said.