Kenya Airways is expected to lose an estimated 300 million shillings ($2.5 million) per day if the upcoming pilot strike occurs as planned.
KALPA, the union that represents the airline’s more than 400 pilots, has issued a strike notice that will go into effect at midnight on Wednesday due to a dispute over pensions, back pay, and other issues.
The Kenyan Airways Board of Directors stated on Wednesday that the planned strike would jeopardise the airline’s recovery from the pandemic and was therefore unjustified.
“None of the grievances advanced by KALPA merits an industrial strike,” the board said in a statement, adding all pay deals with unions must reflect the company’s effort to return to profit.
KALPA declined to comment after a court ordered it not to go ahead with the strike.
According to available information, Kenya Airways transported an average of 8,000 passengers per day in the first half of this year.
The union is demanding that the airline resume contributions to its staff pension fund, which were suspended during the pandemic, as well as payment of all back salary earned at the time.
When the pandemic hit, Kenya Airways, like other airlines, grounded its fleet and delayed compensation for employees.
The board said that it was making progress because all employees were now getting paid in full every month and some extra money would be used to gradually pay off the back pay.
