The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KAPA) has called off pilots’ strike which threatened to plunge Kenya Airways into deeper crisis.
Secretary General Captain Paul Gichinga said the pilots have resumed normal operations after successful talks with the senior management of Kenya Airways and government.
“After fruitful discussions with the highest levels of Government, the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KAPA) is pleased to announce that the impasse between the Pilots of Kenya Airways (KQ) and the Senior Management of the National Carrier with regard to the strategic direction of the Company has been resolved. Accordingly, the Pilots have resumed normal operations for the National Carrier,” he said Monday evening.
Capt Gichinga, however, told KQ stakeholders and the government to abide by their commitments to ensure normalcy in the aviation sector.
He said the pilots were committed to ensuring smooth operations at Kenya Airways.
“We trust that the Management of Kenya Airways will abide by the assurances and commitments it has given us. On our part, we wish to assure the Government, Kenya Airways Stakeholders and the General Public that our members will abide by their commitments.”
On Sunday, the pilots boycotted duty, forcing the national carrier to cancel five domestic and international flights.
Newly appointed KQ Director Michael Joseph in a separate statement said, “This is the start of a journey to return KQ to its rightful place as the Pride of Africa. It may be difficult at times, but I am confident that with the support of all our stakeholders, we will reach that goal.”
Michael Joseph was the former CEO of telecommunication giants Safaricom.