This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
Published on August 24, 2020, Kenya Airways announced plans to lay off half of its pilots in a bid to cut costs amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The airline aims to save approximately KSh3.24 billion over the next three years by laying off 207 out of 414 pilots, a move that will reduce the carrier's expenses.
According to the airline, pilots account for 10% of its total workforce but take home 45% of the overall payout to employees, translating to KSh6.48 billion. This has led the airline to seek cost savings of up to KSh63 billion based on its expenses of KSh127 billion for the year to December.
The number of KQ pilots has dropped 18% since 2014 when the airline incurred losses after making costly aircraft purchases, which coincided with a decline in tourist and business travel to Kenya due to a spate of attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.
