Kenya Airways rejoins AFRAA

The purpose of the visit was to re-establish close and cordial relations between Kenya Airways and AFRAA after six years withdrawal by Kenya Airways of its membership of the continent's airline organization, "due to its principled views on certain issues," according to Dr. Naikuni.

Welcoming Dr. Naikuni to AFRAA, the Secretary General, described the visit as symbolically significant, adding that, "it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the KQ and AFRAA relationship." Mr. Fadugba thanked Dr. Naikuni for taking time off his busy schedule to visit the Association. He observed that KQ is the national carrier of the host country of AFRAA yet Dr. Naikuni had not visited AFRAA since 2004. The Secretary General noted that the non-participation in the activities of AFRAA during the last six years by one of the continent's leading airlines is now over and he expressed the hope that the airline will henceforth play an active role in the Association.

On his part, Dr. Naikuni said the decision by Kenya Airways to reactivate its membership of AFRAA is a fulfillment of an earlier promise that KQ will come back once the leadership of AFRAA changed. He said following the assumption of office of the new Secretary General, Mr. Nick Fadugba, on 18th February 2010, and the confidence KQ has in his leadership, the airline decided to reactivate its membership. He noted that Mr. Fadugba's coming to AFRAA marks a new chapter in the history of this important organization and pledged his airline's support to AFRAA's efforts towards achieving its goals.

Dr. Naikuni assured the Secretary General and staff of AFRAA that "KQ is back on board and if you need any help, you may call on us."

After reassuring AFRAA of the commitment of KQ and emphasizing the importance of AFRAA to African airlines, Dr. Naikuni presented a cheque to the Secretary General for the airline's six (6) years outstanding membership subscription. The Group Managing Director of Kenya Airways assured the Secretary General that KQ will lend strong support to AFRAA but will not interfere in its activities and operations.

Receiving the cheque, the AFRAA Secretary General thanked KQ for renewing its membership and paying all its subscription dues including that for 2010. He assured Dr. Naikuni that the money will be prudently and responsibly managed by AFRAA.

On his vision for AFRAA, the Secretary General said his primary focus will be on key issues of concern to African airlines and in particular; safety and security, training, liberalization, co-operation and the establishment of a research unit to focus on African airline data collection and analysis. The Secretary General noted that, "no continent talks more about co-operation than Africa, yet very little has been achieved." Mr. Fadugba said AFRAA will actively seek collaboration with aviation training institutions in Africa (some of which are run by airlines) to generate much needed synergy.

With the return of the national airline of the host country of the African Airlines Association, there is optimism that other African airlines that have withdrawn their membership will soon return.