– A confidential document leaked to the media showed KQ cancelled well over 50 flights in the month of August 2019
– The struggling flag carrier also delayed 40% of the flights since year began according to the memo
– The airline recorded a KSh 7.55 billion net loss in the year ending December 2018 allegedly due to shortage of staff
Flag carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has in the recent months been facing a backlash over frequent flight delays and cancellations that have not only inconvenienced customers but also cost the taxpayers money.
The airline which ironically boasts of being the pride of Africa, has reportedly cancelled over 50 flights in the month of August 2019 alone and delayed 40% of the flights this year, a situation that has only served to worsen the carrier’s already unhealthy financial position.
Kenya Airways (KQ) has been on the spot in the recent months over frequent flight delays and cancellations. Photo: KQ.
Source: Depositphotos
A confidential document leaked to the media revealed even more troubling state of affairs at the airline, with fingers being pointed at the pilots and the crew members as the people responsible for its latest woes.
The damning memo whose content was first brought to light by Daily Nation on Monday, August 26, showed KQ cancelled a total of 182 flights in 2019 as a result of crew members and pilots failing to report to work.
The embattled airline recorded a KSh 7.55 billion net loss in the year ending December 2018 and the frequent flight cancellations, delays and shortage of staff were cited as the main contributing factors.
According to the document, accommodation costs hit KSh 118 million in the first seven months of 2019 as a result of flight cancellations.
Kenya Airways is usually expected to provide essential services such as accommodation and meals during flight delays and or cancellations and this has become increasingly costly. "With increasing number of these incidents, the costs of hotel accommodation and meals have been above budget by 250%,” the memo read. The airline’s top management is said to be hard-pressed to explain to stakeholders why the on-time performance (OTP) have been deteriorating.Kenya Airways recently came under scathing attack on social media with aggrieved customers, including ODM party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, expressing their rage over the inconveniencing delays and cancellations. Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please […]