This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread globally, Kenya Airways is facing a significant challenge in maintaining its operations. The national carrier has been forced to ground some of its cargo planes due to a shortage of flight staff, with 283 cabin crew members currently in mandatory quarantine, resulting in Sh80 million in occupancy bills.
Kenya Airways chief executive Allan Kilavuka has expressed concerns over the impact of quarantine on employee morale, stating that the protocol developed by the airline aims to ensure crew safety and prevent the spread of the disease.
‘The protocol that we have developed highlights how we shall ensure that our crew will follow strict guidelines that will protect them from contracting the disease. It shows how we are going to protect our members,’ Mr Kilavuka said in an interview.
Some of the measures outlined in the protocol include pre- and post-flight checks on crew members, the use of full-body protective gear, thorough disinfection of equipment, and controlled movement while in foreign countries.
Kenya Airways is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Transport to implement the new protocol, which is expected to provide assurance to employees that they will not be treated in the same manner as their colleagues who have been quarantined.
With the global pandemic affecting international passenger travel, Kenya Airways is now focusing on cargo shipment via passenger planes, particularly for long-haul routes, amid a rise in demand for freight, especially to Europe.
