KENYA AIRWAYS SEEKS NEW COO
(Posted 27th August 2014)
Financial and HR consultancy firm PriceWaterHouseCoopers has been tasked to find a new Chief Operating Officer for Kenya’s national airline after the incumbent. Mr. Mbuvi Ngunze, was selected to step up as incoming CEO when Dr. Titus Naikuni will retire from the airline at the end of November this year after 13 ½ years at the helm.
The changes take place at a time when Kenya Airways faces, what some say, are unprecedented challenges, having been in the red for some years, more recently being hammered by 14+ billion Kenya Shillings tax bills for new aircraft and spare parts by ill-considered finance legislation and having to suspend flights to some destinations in West Africa affected by a raging Ebola outbreak, after public pressure prevailed.
The airline also faces increased competitive pressures from in particular Gulf carriers which have gained access to the Kenyan and regional markets in past years but also compete with them from African destinations which feed transit traffic via Nairobi.
The new team, when in place, will have to concentrate to turn the financial fortunes of the airline around and continue with the rollout of new destinations and increasing the fleet as foreseen under ‘Plan Mawingo’, Kenya Airways’ 10 year strategic plan. Watch this space to learn when a new COO has been selected in due course.
