In a firm commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity in their operations, Kenya Airways (KQ) has adopted a stringent stance against unethical practices, while also focusing on strategic talent recruitment and retention, as well as sustainability efforts.
Speaking during the recently concluded Africa Business Ethics Conference (ABEC) 2024, Tom Shivo, Chief People Officer at KQ, shared the airline’s multifaceted approach to ethics, and called on other businesses to uphold and maintain an ethical culture in their ecosystem.
“At Kenya Airways, we recognize that ethics is not just about compliance; it is about creating a culture where integrity is celebrated, and misconduct is rejected.” Mr. Shivo asserted. “No matter how great your business success, it remains fragile without a foundation of ethics and ethical behavior.”
More recently, Shivo has emphasized KQ’s zero tolerance for unethical behavior, citing a recent case where an employee was caught with falsified academic documents. “One of our staff members was prosecuted and sentenced to six months in prison for this offense in 2024,” Shivo stated, highlighting the airline’s commitment to integrity.
“We have a campaign called Act Right, Speak Right. Through this campaign we demonstrate the good deeds of one or two of our staff. On the other hand, we also announce negative deeds that staff have done,” he said. This firm stance extends to various aspects of the organization, with 54 employees suspended and 25 others terminated in 2024 for the unethical use of the recently suspended “Buddies pass,” which was a travel perk intended for friends and family.
The ethical standards at KQ are deeply ingrained, with employees often demonstrating commendable behavior. Shivo praised an employee who refused a Ksh. 7,000 bribe and reported the incident to the authorities. He called for a broader adoption of ethical behavior in organizations, advocating for this message to flow from the highest leadership echelons down to the junior employees, as well as ensuring that punitive measures are commensurate with the unethical offenses.
KQs War For Talent
In addition to its ethical endeavours, KQ is addressing the global competition for skilled aviation professionals. According to the CPO, the airline is ramping up its efforts to secure and nurture talent, particularly in response to intense poaching of professionals from companies in the Far East. “The demand is actually very high for pilots, technicians, revenue managers, and flight dispatchers; it’s a war for the best talent.”
To counter this, KQ has initiated partnerships with educational institutions to ensure there remains a steady influx of qualified graduates. “We’re expanding these collaborations with more universities and aviation companies in the coming year,” Shivo noted.
Beyond recruitment, KQ is committed to keeping its workforce adept in an industry that’s constantly evolving. “Our strategic training programs are designed to keep our staff up to speed with the latest industry dynamics,” said Shivo. This commitment extends to continuous recruitment, which he clarified is driven more by the airline’s growth ambitions than merely replacing departing staff.
With KQ currently servicing 46 destinations, Shivo expressed optimism about expanding this network, which in turn, in the medium to long run, will inexorably necessitate further staff augmentation. To attract and retain such talent, KQ has developed the KQ Academy and periodic coaching for over 500 employees, ensuring they remain at the forefront of aviation expertise.
Among the current destinations served by KQ is Canton, China, an Asian destination that KQ had previously suspended operations during the COVID era. However, according to Trizah Bomett, Revenue Manager Pricing, the last three years have taken a turn for the better.
“The bookings post Covid already stabilised. In 2021 the bookings were still down, then in 2022 we started seeing what we were calling revenge travel. By 2023, we were already looking at 2019 passenger numbers. So things have picked up and Covid is behind everyone,” she said.
Trizah Bomett noted the Chinese route is one KQ would like to go to on a daily basis, unlike the current four trips a week that KQ operates to China. Currently, KQ is only operating to one point (Canton) yet China has over 15 big cities. “We have what we call the fifth freedom agreement with the two governments. We can pick passengers in Bangkok and drop them in Canton, and vice versa. We however still need more partners to fly passengers to the other cities.”
KQ Pioneering Sustainability
The airline has established an innovation hub as part of its commitment to sustainability, fostering the development of green technologies and processes within the aviation sector. This particular innovation hub serve as a center where eco-friendly ideas can thrive, leading to innovations that reduce environmental impact while improving service quality.
Under the umbrella of Project Kifaru, KQ is furthering its sustainability efforts with three strategic projects: the Pyro-Diesel Plant for producing alternative fuel, the expansion of the Water Bottling Plant, and transforming Msafiri House into a centralized operations hub. The water bottling plant initiative not only reduces the airline’s reliance on external water supplies but also significantly cuts down plastic waste through the use of reusable water containers for both staff and passengers.
In what came down and a groundbreaking move, KQ became the first African airline to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on a long-haul flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam, as part of the Sustainable Flight Challenge by SkyTeam. This effort underscores KQ’s proactive stance on decarbonization, aiming to blend SAF with conventional jet fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The airline’s participation in these global challenges, including the Global Sustainable Flight Challenge 2024, as the CFO noted, highlights KQ’s commitment to showcasing and implementing sustainable practices in flight operations.
Shivo emphasized that these efforts are integral to KQ’s long-term vision. “We’re committed to leading the way in sustainable aviation, not just for compliance but as part of our ethos,” he stated, highlighting the airline’s aim to balance growth with environmental responsibility.
Story by Edwin Muthomi
