Kaleyesus Bekele

A fresh labor dispute at embattled Kenya Airways (KQ) resulted in canceled flights through at least December 3 following the airline’s dismissal of more than 140 striking aircraft engineers and technicians. KQ’s technical department employs more than 600 working at various levels; about 15 percent of them went on a strike starting November 28 to demonstrate for a salary increase of as high as 250 percent while the East African carrier struggles to implement a turnaround strategy. “They want their pay to match those of their counterparts in Middle East countries,” a senior executive of KQ told AIN.

 


The strike followed a “go-slow” industrial action at the airline’s hub in Nairobi Jumo Kenyatta International Airport. After repeated warnings, KQ CEO Sebastian Mikosz fired the 140 engineers and technicians.&nbsp;

 


In a letter sent to AIN, Kenya Airways said that the management of the airline consistently communicated in good faith the progress of addressing issues raised by the technical department. “The illegal strike at Kenya Airways’ hangar was in bad faith and unacceptable,” the airline said.

 


While recording spiraling losses in the past several years, KQ lost more than 80 technicians and dozens of cockpit crewmembers to high-paying Middle East carriers.

 


KQ, which promotes its self as the pride of Africa, made a change of management and board early this year in an effort to speed its recovery plan. Last June the new board hired Mikosz, who as CEO of Lot Polish Airlines successfully implemented a turnaround strategy at that airline.

 


Owned by the Kenyan government, Air France KLM and other shareholders, Kenya Airways recently restructured $2 billion of debt as part the rescue plan. “The management will not entertain actions that impede the recovery process of the company,” Mikosz said in an internal memo dispatched to all the staff of the airline.&nbsp; &nbsp;

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Kenya Airways Stung by More Labor Strife

Airline fires striking mechanics as Middle East airlines continue to poach talent

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN