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This follows concerns that a shortage of pilots on long-haul routes was threatening to ground the airline, forcing it to hire foreign pilots, who are also targeted by rival airlines.
Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni acknowledges that while pilots can easily be hired, getting those with the right qualifications and experience was not easy.
“We have been working with unions (Kenya Aviation’s and Allied Workers’ Union) and the relevant state agencies to hire some expatriates. The reality is we don’t have enough pilots who have the right experience we are looking for,” he says.
By the end of the year, the airline will have revamped its pilot trainee programme; drawing trainees from different backgrounds and helping them acquire commercial pilot’s licences.
Although the region has been haemorrhaging pilots to better paying countries, the local throughout has been low leading to fears of an industrial collapse.
The airline also plans to increase its fleet to 119 by 2021 and to open new flight destinations from the current 50 destinations to 115, including flying to every African capital. – CAJ News.
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