Union trouble disrupts Kenya Airways’ Lagos services
A standoff between the management and the union leaders disrupted the services of Kenya Airways at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos.
December 13, 2017: A standoff between the management and the union leaders disrupted the services of Kenya Airways at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. National Union of Air Transport Employees demanded implementation of the welfare programme for its members which is long pending.
According to newspaper reports, the union members stormed the counters of the airline at the MMIA preventing the airline from carrying out flight operations. The Union also hoisted its flags at the Kenya Airways check-in counters.
The statement from the airlines reads as "Kenya Airways wishes to announce that it expects disruptions due to industrial action at its Lagos station. This action has stemmed from disagreements related to unsustainable financial demands in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
"Guests are kindly advised to check their flight details and status before heading to the airport. Those already at the airport are advised to pay attention to the periodic boarding announcements for their flights.
Kenya Airways is committed to doing its utmost to minimise the effects of this disruption to its guests. The Airline is working to reroute its affected guests. We would also like to state that all our other operations remain normal.
"Passengers travelling from/to Lagos from 13th to 16th December 2017 wishing to cancel or postpone their travel are allowed to do so without incurring financial penalties. We advise our passengers to contact Kenya Airways Call Centre for rebooking."
Meanwhile, in a parallel development, the financially troubled Kenya Airways has completed its financial restructuring in the month of November. The transaction involved two syndicates of international financiers, 11 Kenyan commercial banks, numerous operating lessors, the Kenyan Government and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
The losses, caused by a slump in tourism due to frequent attacks in Kenya by militants from neighbouring Somalia, came at a time when the airline was taking on debt to buy new planes and as Gulf-based rivals ratcheted up the competition.
