Kenya Airways threatens to dismiss striking pilots

The national airline of Kenya, Kenya Airways, has vowed to begin disciplining its pilots whose strike has already lasted three days.

The airline insists that the strike is illegal, and government officials agree, claiming that the 400 pilots' activities amount to economic sabotage.

According to the national carrier, 56 flights were canceled over the weekend, affecting almost 12,000 passengers.

The export and import of goods like pharmaceuticals and fresh vegetables have also been impacted.

The airline now issues a warning that the window for negotiations is narrowing and that the strike-participating pilots risk being fired or subject to legal action.

The airline is free to take any necessary legal action against its pilots, the labor ministry stated on Sunday.

The largest shareholder of Kenya Airways, the government, claimed to have put in roughly $500 million (£442 million) in the last three years to keep the airline solvent.

The pilots claim that unless their demands are granted, the strike will continue in full force.

Among other things, they want the airline to resume making contributions to their retirement fund and to dismiss key executives, including the CEO, immediately.

After the airline obtained an injunction days before the strike, the parties are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.