Kenyan government officials were ordered Thursday to fly beleaguered national airline Kenya Airways on trips abroad, but not without a sharp message to the carrier to shape up and be on time.
According to a cabinet statement, the “Fly Kenya Policy” will see all government officials “fly Kenya-registered carriers when travelling on official duty and whenever public funds are expended.”
The move of “support” comes as Kenya Airways is facing a crippling pilots strike over mismanagement at the airline which is facing massive financial losses and soaring public despair over corruption, flight delays and high prices.
A state of affairs that has not gone unnoticed by cabinet, which gave a veiled warning to the airline as it unveiled its new policy.
Cabinet urged Kenya Airways “to overhaul its services and offer internationally competitive services in all its departments ranging from the pricing regimes, to public relations and eliminating delays.”
The Kenyan Airline Pilots Association on Tuesday announced it would go on strike for seven days from October 18 if the airline’s top managers do not resign.
In a statement released Thursday the airline called the move “totally uncalled for”, adding it had reversed a downward financial performance spiral.
AFP reports
