KQ is technically sound, says aviation expert

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) is technically sound despite the financial crisis it faces according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

The Authority’s Director General Mr Gilbert Kibe said that the airline is undergoing a five-phase recertification process that startedin 2008, to ensure it complies with the updated civil aviation regulations before its license of operation is renewed.

While speaking to a senate committee last week on Thursday, Mr Kibe said: “We are recertifying all aircraft operations in the country to ensure compliance to the Civil Aviation Act 2013. This is not something unique with KQ”.

The committee chaired by Kisumu Senator, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o was specifically constituted in July to investigate the airline’s dismal performance that culminated to a declaration of a Ksh29 billion loss. At the moment, Mr Kibe added, they are flying on a valid air service license that expires on March 21, 2016 and an active commercial operating certificate that expires in October 31, this year.

Mr Kibe told the committee that KQ is at stage four of the process that ensures the airline meets the set international safety standards. “The scrutiny takes long due to its complex nature and the manpower required,” he told the committee. “Though few, we have competent officers to perform surveillance on KQ. At the moment, we are satisfied that KQ is technically competent to operate.”