By Macharia Kamau
Kenya Airways (KQ) pilots yesterday pleaded with President Uhuru
Kenyatta to save their jobs as the
carrier embarked on a restructuring
process that is expected to significantly reduce its workforce.
Through their lobby, Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa), the
pilots termed the move to downsize the airline as shortsighted and
instead said there was wisdom in a recent move to expand the airline’s
operations, which was however disrupted by the outbreak of coronavirus.
In an open letter to the president, Kalpa said reducing the airline’s
size could see the airline lose its space to competitors from the region
as well as global carriers that ply local and regional routes. It also
puts in jeopardy Kenya as a hub for air traffic.
“We acknowledge your government’s move to nationalise KQ as a
demonstration of your commitment to safeguarding the value of the
airline – not only as a foreign exchange earner but also its absolute
significance to the horticulture, floriculture and tourism sectors,”
said Kalpa General Secretary Murithi Nyagah.
He added that the airline was a key player in the country’s aviation sector, which contributed five per cent to Kenya’s GDP.
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