•Pilots have pointed out lack of passion in the leadership as one of the major challenges at the carrier.
•Poor aircraft choice on certain routes has also led to low passenger demand, baggage delays and a general loss of revenue, according to KALPA. Kenya Airways planes at JKIA. Kenya Airways’ board should comprise of aviation experts and individuals from key economic sectors as part of the airline’s turnaround strategy, pilots say.
In a memorandum, the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) says the board should comprise of, but not limited to a nominee of the association with a minimum of 10 years international flying experience and rated on the Boeing 787 or 777.
It should also have an aviation maintenance science expert, licensed aircraft engineer with Boeing training and rating in the B787, and an aircraft acquisition, lease and financing expert.
Te memorandum titled titled ‘KALPA’s National Carrier Revival Plan’, further proposes that horticulture, floriculture, and meat and livestock exporters should also be offered a seat on the board, as they are key players in cargo business.
The board should further have an air cargo management expert., a nominee from hotel and restaurants association of tourism and hotel sectors, airport operations expert or KAA representative and an aviation auditor.
The current board composition comprises individuals from the private sector, military and government who are not necessarily aviation experts.
“KQ’s mission statement should align with Kenya’s aspirations and the key economic drivers such as leisure and business tourism, agricultural exports and regional integration,” KALPA led by general secretary, Captain Muriithi Nyagah, says in the document.
The association proposes that a new set of departmental heads as well as the CEO should be hired in a competitive, transparent and fair process with competent and qualified Kenyans being given priority consideration.
This comes as KQ management works on a turn-around plan with changes expected to come with the National Management Aviation Bill 2020 currently in Parliament.
The Bill will lead to a major shake-up in the aviation industry when it becomes law with the President chairing a powerful National Civil Aviation Council which is part of the proposals to make KQ a parastatal.Cabinet Secretaries for Transport, Interior, National Treasury as well as the Attorney General, and Kenya Airforce Commander are the proposed members of the council, which will create policies relating to the aviation sector and also assess the country’s actual and potential civil aviation capabilities.While the nationalisation is being waited upon, KQ […]
