This archive report was first published on 1 September 2019.
Kenya Airways has been facing a severe pilot shortage, which has led to a string of flight cancellations and delays. The airline has been seeking to recruit direct entry captains since November 2018 but has been unsuccessful due to a restrictive Collective Bargaining Agreement that only allows it to employ Embraer-rated pilots.
Outgoing chief executive Sebastian Mikosz has been in discussions with the pilots' union to relax this requirement, allowing the airline to go to the market and recruit pilots. In an internal communication to staff, Mr Mikosz stated, "We hope to soon reach an agreement in order to give confidence to our board and investors that we can source adequate pilots to complement the fleet and network expansion."
"We hope to soon reach an agreement in order to give confidence to our board and investors that we can source adequate pilots to complement the fleet and network expansion," said Mr Mikosz. — Sebastian Mikosz, outgoing chief executive of Kenya Airways
As of August, the airline had 434 pilots, having recruited 27 this year alone. However, it requires 497 pilots to meet its operational needs. The airline has faced a barrage of complaints from its customers over regular flight cancellations and delays, which have seen the government demand an explanation from the management.
Kenya Airways has footed a bill of over $1.18 million to accommodate stranded passengers over the past seven months. The airline blames pilots for the flight disruptions, citing the restrictive Collective Bargaining Agreement as the main obstacle to recruiting more pilots.
"Since last year, we have been seeking to recruit contract pilots across the fleet like all other airlines do. However, due to the very restrictions by pilots, we are only allowed to recruit those on the Embraer fleet," said Mr Mikosz.
However, Captain Muriithi Nyaga, chief executive and general secretary of the Kenya Airline Pilots Association, disputes the airline's claims, stating that it is wrong to blame pilots for the rising cases of flight cancellations without a full appreciation of the factors at play.
"As an association we have always extended goodwill and this has gone a long way in minimising flight disruptions. We have also been at the forefront in calling for the recruitment of pilots to match Kenya Airways' needs. It is our position that boosting pilot numbers remains the only viable and sustainable direction to overcome the shortfall and enable smooth operation of the airline," said Captain Nyaga.
