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(This post is in memory of all the 114 passengers who perished in the crash)
It’s exactly one year since KQ flight 507 went down in Duala –
The Boeing 737-800 series was only 6 months old and so the issue of a technical hitch could not arise. Two weeks ago, another 737-800 series belonging to KQ overshot the runway at the
Although KQ CEO, Titus Naikuni, came out defending his company’s record and said that such hitches are expected taking into account the volume of flights KQ covers, it leaves a lot to beg. The frequency of the recent incidences does not look normal at all. Could this be a case of mismanagement? It’s clearly understood that workers at this flight company are quite overworked and may be under performing not due to laziness, but fatigue.
What KQ needs is a complete overhaul and not a re-branding, hiking fares or cancellation of partnerships. The whole management team needs to be replaced with a new one with more stringent performance contracts. Without this the inefficient rot in there will never be dealt with and more disappointing things will happen. We cannot afford to lose more lives just because we want to serve vested interests. Our African Pride is bigger than that.
The company is faced with very tough industry times (increased fuel prices, stringent terrorism laws and stiff competition from international Airlines) and cannot afford to goof around. I think making the KQ private owned or fully owned by the public will make it more efficient and accountable to its customers. Things like 48 hours delays of flights will be a thing of the past.
7 Comments:
KQ needs Titus to admit that he has been a miserable failure and quit. Otherwise, we ain't seen nothing yet sadly.
Titus need to admit defeat....and plan for an honorable exit with his team.He has done enough. What KQ needs is fresh minds with new industry tricks.
I think KQ's problems are with soft issues (customer service, communications), which can be fixed. If it were hard decisions - strategy, route, fleet I'd be with you on the need for MD change
Banks, not being funny,but the soft issues that you mention are at the heart of any business! If you ain't treating your customers right, you don't have a business. KQ has a bad to very bad customer service. And I have flown with them for a period of almost 10 years.
Banks, as mainat says, those soft issue are the chore of the flight industry. You screw them up, you kill people. Imagine what will happen if a plane pilot looses communication with the ground personnel.
MainaT: I know they are serious, but the company is IMHO in the right strategic directions. Africa and Asia growth. There's no excuse for the customer service lapses (which don't cost much to fix)
ka-investor: i didn't mean pilot communications (or safety issues), but communicating with passengers about late flights, canceled flights and being ready to deal with the spillovers, rebookings, hotels. i have read too many (recent) stories online where people are just stranded at the airport and figure things out for themselves
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