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{
"id": 9948,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/9948/?format=api",
"text_counter": 361,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Kimunya",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Transport",
"speaker": {
"id": 174,
"legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
"slug": "amos-kimunya"
},
"content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to make the following Statement on delays of scheduled Kenya Airways flights as requested by hon. Magwanga. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Kenya Airways is a hub-and-spoke carrier connecting passengers through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Its hub has 53 destinations worldwide. The hub-and-spoke concept is the preferred airline mode of operations in comparison to point to point operations. There are, however, some challenges with the model because any delay at any of the spokes or outstations tends to cause reactionary delays at the hub, in this case, JKIA and to the entire network as well. These delays are not unique to Kenya Airways. In fact, available global statistics show similar trends for hub carriers while operating into and out of their respective hubs. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, some of the causes of delays are beyond the airline’s control and have negative effects on its operations. Those causes include immigration delays in foreign countries that consequently affect the connecting flights out of JKIA to African destinations. The intermittent delays are also experienced due to congestion within the European airspace, especially in London. It could also be equipment failure. For example, you know what happened recently in Paris where the airport system failed thus causing a flight delay to Nairobi. We also have issues with the Kenya airspace which has also been experiencing air traffic control delays due to congestion, especially during the peak periods. We also have had congestion at JKIA which creates challenges, especially with the transfer of passengers to their connecting flights, handling of baggage and positioning aircraft from remote parking bases to air bridges and gates for both passengers, disembarking as well as refueling. Traffic jam on Mombasa Road has been causing the late arrival of passengers as well as operating crew with attendant delays on the aircraft. There are also fuel and parking challenges at the remote parking at JKIA. The fuel suppliers have reported that the fuel lines have clogged and the quality of fuel has been affected. That has forced Kenya Airways to reposition aircraft to serviceable bases, which usually takes enormous time and resources. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, until recently, the new fuel hydrant system at the remote stands has been operating since it was commissioned in July, 2010. However, as it is common with any new fuel system, there have been some snags which are being resolved and the system is expected to be fully operational within the next two weeks. The congestion problem is being addressed through the construction of the new Terminal 4 which is expected to be completed by December, 2012. That is in the short- term. In the long term, we will construct a new Greenfield Terminal. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the last two years, 17 legal suits have been instituted against Kenya Airways due to delays. Out of those, 15 cases have since been resolved through the established Customer Service Recovery Procedures. Of the remaining cases, one has been settled on an e x-gratia basis while the last one is in court. The airline considers this as confidential information and I seek the indulgence of this House not to provide the cost of the above mentioned case, as well as that of the hotel accommodation arising from delays. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 22th October, 2011, Flight 611 was delayed as a result of the late arrival in Mombasa of Flight KQ610 from Nairobi. The flight had experienced about 30 minutes delay in Nairobi due to a number of landing flights ahead of it, including other Kenya Airways flights. Priority is normally accorded to landing flights and KQ610, therefore, landed in Mombasa 48 minutes late. Unfortunately, by the time the flight landed in Mombasa, the captain could not operate the flight back to Nairobi as flight KQ611, as she would have statutorily violated the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority regulations on maximum flight time by 22 minutes. That is because 48 minutes delay in the air meant that the captain was off by 22 minutes and she had to take a break statutorily. Kenya Airways works within the law and adheres to the regulations regarding the flight time limit by the cockpit crew. As a result of that, the Kenya Airways operational control worked expeditiously to get another set of crew who were, unfortunately, engaged in other flights. However, the airline ensured that the passengers who had very critical connections out of Nairobi were accommodated on other flights, which included 40 passengers connecting to Jeddah for Hajj, as well as mothers with infants. The rest of the passengers were given hotel accommodation as they were rebooked on later flights. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that was an unfortunate case and the airline acknowledges that the communication with passengers was not done professionally by staff on the ground, and sincerely apologizes to its passengers. Going forward, the airline has commenced training sessions to our customer services team on how to communicate during high pressure and demanding situations. It is also important to mention that Kenya Airways has been operating about ten daily flights on Mombasa shuttle services, with commendable on-time performance, and strives to maintain the same. This has resulted in an increase in capacity by 40 per cent and improved services on the route. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on the passenger lounge at the Moi International Airport, Kenya Airports Authority, in liaison with Kenya Airways, are working on it to have the available lounge expanded and also to provide an additional one to accommodate more passengers."
}