KQ technical department on the spot

Kenya Airways’ recent technical hitches have drawn concern over the airline’s safety standards.

On Monday, KQ 415 from Entebbe burst its tires on landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, adding to a growing list of mishaps to befall the airline.

According to the Kenya Airlines Pilot Association (KALPA) the problem stems from the massive resignations from Kenya Airways’ technical department charged with maintenance works on the airline’s fleet of aircrafts.

In August a KQ flight from Johannesburg developed mechanical trouble minutes after takeoff forcing the plane to turn back.

No injuries were reported in both cases but KALPA has charged that the airline’s management needs to shore up its technical department.

In an August 31 letter to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), KALPA paints a grim picture of poor workmanship, which linked to inexperience, work overload and unrealistic shifting patterns.

“I would like to bring to your attention a very worrying trend at KQ regarding increased brain and skills drain. Resignations have become the order of the day across the organization more so within the technical department. This is a very critical department and this high attrition has led to a galore of flight cancelations,” reads the letter in part.

Kenya Airways announced a full year loss of Sh26 billion and is looking to a turnaround plan to revive its operations.