Kenya Airways Pilots Strike over Benefits, Stopping Flights

Three days of strikes by Kenya's national airline's pilots over a demand to honour a retirement savings plan are estimated to be costing the country millions of dollars per day in lost revenue.

12,000 people were impacted by the 56 flights Kenya Airways reported it had to cancel over the weekend. The airline estimates the daily losses to be $2.4 million.

Imports of pharmaceutical products as well as exports of fresh produce, especially flowers to Europe, have been impacted.

The strike-breaking pilots have been warned by Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka to return to work or risk disciplinary action. The airline also made pilot job openings available on its LinkedIn profile.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association is urging for the dismissal of top management and the quick reinstatement of a fund for retirement savings after accusing it of conducting the labour issue improperly.

The management of the airline has stated that until the pilots are back at work, it would not engage in negotiations.

The main airport in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, appeared to be less chaotic on Monday, although the airline said that roughly 9,000 passengers were impacted by the strike. Apparently, 25 tonnes of cargo were shipped.

Kenya Airways experienced both pre- and post-COVID-19 financial difficulties. The airline's management had stopped making contributions to the staff retirement fund, claiming they were unaffordable.