Kenya Airways pilots have been given 24 hours starting 11.30 am to return to work or lose their jobs.
Addressing the press on Saturday morning, KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka said at least 10,000 passengers have been affected by the strike.
400 Kenya Airways pilots have not reported to work paralyzing operations of Kenya’s national flag carrier.
He said the executive council members of the pilots’ association have called in sick to protect themselves while their members are on strike.
Also Read:Thousands of Passengers Stranded as KQ Pilots Down Tools
At the same time, pilots have insisted that the strike is on, apologizing to passengers.
In a statement, Kalpa blames KQ management for the stalemate.
“Kalpa is willing to listen to proposals in genuine negotiations,” the Kalpa secretary general Muriithi Nyagah says.
KQ says it will lose Sh300 million every day if the strike persists.
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen termed the ongoing strike by Kenya Airways pilots as economic sabotage.
He also declared the strike illegal given the court injunction.
KQ had secured a court injunction staying the strike notice on October 31.
Efforts by Murkomen to reconcile the pilot’s lobby Kenya Pilots Association (Kalpa) and airline’s management hit a snug on Friday
The airline is currently working to re-route international flights through Ethiopian Airlines and local ones via Jambojet.