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{
    "id": 1239163,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1239163/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 142,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ali Roba",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The core business of any airline is flight operations. That is flying passengers from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ and nothing else. Now, KQ is not the cheapest airline around this region. It is way more expensive than any other airline. I keep asking why KQ should report profit, when the Government is too ready to bail them out every time they report loss. What has been happening is perennial and almost given. It is the default position of KQ to report loss. When they report their financial performance, they must report a loss. We keep bailing them out because we want to safeguard the flag carrier of Kenya. So, as long as they keep reporting loss, it is a bad image for this country. The question that begs is; why should KQ not report profit? Mr. Speaker, Sir, my colleagues in the Senate and I fly back and forth, within and outside the country. There is no time KQ reports less than 90 per cent seat occupancy rate, in terms of passenger’s occupancy in the routes that we fly. The tickets are not any cheaper. Their core business is flying passengers. The flying is so well that the flights are always overbooked. You cannot even amend your ticket. The ticket prices are higher than Ethiopian Airlines and other competitors in the region, and KQ says it is because their operation costs are high. Mr. Speaker, Sir, sometimes back, I was in the aviation industry. It was reported that the cost of overhauling one engine was higher than the price of buying a brand new engine for KQ. Therefore, it is a business entity that is serving other interests rather than one that is supposed to continue surviving on its own. It is now a going concern. If KQ cannot do well on its own, then, the coffers should not be wasted by a default position of reporting financial loss and being bailed out by the Government every time. Which Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will report financial performance better than a loss, if he knows very well that if he continues reporting a loss, he will be bailed out? That is the situation we have in the country. If KQ has to fall, let it fall so that we can start a fresh with better foundation that we are not going to be subjected to the ridicule that is happening."
}