Govt in talks with KALPA, KQ management to avert Tuesday strike

Government officials are locked in a meeting with Kenya Airways (KQ) management and the pilots union to resolve the stalemate between the airline and the pilots.

The meeting comes as Kenya Airways pilots allied to the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) vowed to go through with their strike planned for Tuesday.

The pilots are concerned that the current management has failed to steer the airline back to profitability.

The government has already indicated that the Chief Executive Officer Mbuvi Ngunze and Chairman Denis Awori will exit the airline, in an effort to avert the planned strike.

The pilots however want a written commitment that the two will leave the airline.

Transport Secretary James Macharia is chairing the meeting as the government, which owns 29.8 percent of the airline, looks for an amicable solution.

Mr Macharia last week accused the airline of overstepping its mandate in calling for the removal of officials.

The National Assembly has also been pushing for reforms at the airline.

On Friday, leader of Majority Adan Duale said members of parliament would not consider or debate a bailout plan for the national carrier unless there were sweeping changes both in the board and senior management.

A similar Strike held by KALPA members in April cost the airline Sh200 million in revenue from canceled flights.

Kenya Airways is also facing a new battle front with contracted workers staging a go slow on Sunday that led to massive flight cancellations and delays.