End of Year Inflight Newsletter

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF INFLIGHT SERVICES AND CATERING (HOISC)

Ibelieve that we have had a great year as we approach the descent for the year 2022. This issue highlights our scores in 2022 as we head into the festivities. It has been a year of varied scores, but we have kept the winning spirit.

In the Month of October 2022, we were honoured with four major awards at the World Trade Awards ceremony, namely: The best Business Class 2022, Africa’s leading Airline 2022, Africa’s leading brand Airline 2022, Africa’s leading Inflight magazine 2022 (Msafiri). In addition, the uptake of the Inflight Embrace program has been phenomenal for crew wellness, ssuccessful recertification of IOSA as well as the firming of the Crew Mobility Solution (CMS) Tool that has enhanced our stakeholder engagements. The SkyTeam Sustainability Award also saw our inflight and catering win in the Best Partnership category.

As we approach the end of the year, it is a good time to look back, reflect on challenges, appreciate great milestones, and prepare for what’s coming ahead. Certainly, the year that was wouldn’t be a success without you. We would therefore sincerely like to thank you all for your contribution towards a successful 2022. We would also like to remember those of us who had to undergo through great challenges, loss, and grief both at a professional and personal level, who despite this, participated in our collective agenda and objectives for the year. Rest assured the Inflight team will continue to do all that is humanly possible and within our reach to ensure you receive the support needed.

Together we have made great progress toward the goals we set at the beginning of the year, key amongst them being safety and the quest to consistently delight our guests.

This year saw us refocus our efforts on the customer, with our cabin leaders actively engaging guests on areas for celebration as well as pain points using the CMS tool. The feedback shared has been priceless and has enabled us to work closely with our shareholders and resolve OTI’s quickly. Thank you!

This edition, themed Source of Pride is a tribute to all of you for making us The Pride of Africa. We hope for a better year to come as we reflect and cherish the moments that we all participated in, in making 2022 the worthwhile year that was.

Just in time for Christmas, and coinciding with the gift-giving season, we have published an inspiring article about ethical gifting. Between family expectations and the last-minute rush, Christmas can be a hard time to put our ethics into practice. Here we make it simple with our ultimate Christmas guide.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2023!

May we continually epitomize The PRIDE OF AFRICA.

Sincerely,

Pauline Kihara Head of Inflight Services & Catering

Greetings Team Members,

ETHICAL GIFTING 101:

The sparkiest, most indulgent time of the year is here with us! Christmas is a religious holiday that should be about love, empathy and doing good deeds for others. It is common to observe a lot of shopping compared to extravagance which may lead to an excruciating amount of waste. It is so easy to get swept up in a frenzy with the pressure of gift shopping. Gifting our loved ones is a wonderful part of the holiday season, however, a lot of times it feels like it’s more of what to buy than the gesture or the thought itself.

There are many good ideas that make it possible to keep the pleasure of exchanging Christmas gifts and allow the tradition to live on without surrendering to the pressures of the unconscious consumption world. Our guide to ethical gift-giving has some great ideas as to how to avoid purchasing gifts that may just end up on a shelf somewhere gathering dust or blow it all in one day!

DIY

Making your own personalised presents is always appreciated: you can bake, sew, knit, make something out of driftwood, shells or other found objects; a scrapbook full of shared memories. If you are good at making things the possibilities are endless. You can have fun making and get the satisfaction of having created some unique presents.

Gift Your Time

You don’t have to spend money to show you care. Take time to visit children’s home or offer to help an elderly person or relative. Invite your neighbours, family, or friends over for dinner. Nothing beats sharing your time with loved ones.

Gift an Experience

Think of theatres, sports events, arts, and culture events. Why not gift an experience that you and a friend can enjoy together. In doing so, you will be supporting local talent, small businesses.

Or you can get inventive and plan a trip, design an itinerary and fill it full of fun. Many of us have rekindled our love for the great outdoors so a membership for your local nature reserve could make a great present.

Self-Care Packages

Gifting ethical toiletries can be the perfect way to introduce a friend to their benefits. Why not create a carefully selected box of self-care treats, giving your loved ones the chance to try some novel ethical alternatives, including a shampoo bar, handmade soap, leave-in conditioner, biodegradable floss, a couple of lush products or some solid toothpaste tabs? You could even buy the ingredients for a make-your-own style gift, such as a DIY deodorant.

Buying pre-loved

Some gifts just get better with age. Rather than buying new gifts, why not explore the treasure trove of the pre-owned and vintage. Vintage clothes and handbags, vintage or limited-edition books are also a great choice.

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Christmas cards are a mainstay of the festive season. Sending e-cards or calling or visiting friends and family can be a welcome alternative to Christmas cards. Pledging to give saved money to your favourite charity is a great way to do good without the waste.

And finally…,

Whatever you do, enjoy yourself this Christmas. One of the most meaningful things you can do is to look out for those people who might be on their own and spread genuine love and happiness by ensuring everyone is involved. It’s also a great opportunity to show your friends and family that everyone can make a difference, by taking small steps to make this Christmas an ethical and sustainable one.

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS ROUNDUP

TOASTS TO A NEW ROUTE: MOMBASA – DUBAI DIRECT

On 15th Dec 2022, we launched our maiden flight from Mombasa to Dubai. The inaugural flight had 145 passenger flight was flagged off by His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.

As part of the series of events to launch, we hosted tourism and travel stakeholders at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai to celebrate the inaugural flight from Dubai to Mombasa. In attendance was the Kenyan Ambassador to the UAE republic, H.E. Kariuki Mugwe, Kenya Airways Chief Financial Officer Hellen Mathuka, Members of the Transport and Infrastructure committee from Kenya Parliament, various stakeholders amongst them leading travel and tour operators from Mombasa and Dubai, and many others.

The direct flight is a deliberate move to position Kenya for in-bound arrivals from United Arab Emirates (UAE) market both for leisure and business opportunities.

The route will be served by a Boeing 787-800, four times weekly under the flight registration KQ306 from Mombasa and KQ307 from Dubai.

EMBRACE HIGHLIGHTS

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS ROUNDUP

The inflight Embrace program has been a gamechanger. The apex of the COVID-19 pandemic came with life-changing ramifications that touched on mental, financial, social, and family well-being. This was the trigger for the Inflight Embrace group last year 2021.

The initial uptake of the product had hesitations and the key culprit was confidentiality and trust issues. As the days morphed into months and results started dripping in, interest picked speed and memorable highlights were born.

Cases that would ordinarily have cost one their jobs did provide a transformative agenda and we have witnessed

brighter faces and a more determined workforce to face the challenges that life throws at us.

One or two Embracers opted to take a break and the New Year (2023) will usher in a window of new faces to support the program with newer ideas and approaches. Therefore, this signals interested team members to reach out to the patron for engagement.

We are slowly but surely developing into a big embrace family even as other sections of the KQ family launch the same with the latest being Ground Operations. Support from Inflight Management and Medical takes a leading role in this. This is an approach worth borrowing at the family level too for those with teenagers and stressed spouses.

The year saw several trainings and the year ahead looks even more promising after HOISC allocated a budget for training the Embracers in upskilling and enlightenment. A challenge on the Embrace desk is to also benchmark with other corporate bodies on how they carry out peer support. With these and many more plans, our in-tray is full in supporting others. Choose to be a Partner today!

Receive embraces from the Embrace desk,

By Kataka Hanningtone C.M and Embrace Patron

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS ROUNDUP

TECHNICAL Q4 REPORT

During this quarter we welcomed back into passenger service 5Y-FFC, 5Y-KZB and 5Y-KZC. Our able and qualified engineers worked systematically to restore 5Y-FFC to full service. This AC’s long-term storage was not in vain, the flying Embraer family in the fleet maintained their airworthiness courtesy of 5Y-FFC.

The sturdy hands, and technical competencies of the same team reconfigured KZA and KZB which had earlier been repurposed as Preighters to bring in the much-needed revenue from cargo that sustained all of us during the difficult COVID season.

THOROUGH PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS

Aircraft are made to fly. The long-term parking and reconfiguration came with its own challenges. A few flights into operations saw 5Y-FFC and 5Y-KZA AOG while 5Y-KZB presented big IFE challenges. This greatly impacted operations as well as guest comfort. Thank you for your meticulous checks on these ACs upon reintroduction to pax services, your effort and feedback have paid off as the ACs are now safe and reliable.

JAMHURI CELEBRATIONS IN GHANA

Kenya Airways in partnership with The High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in Accra held an event to commemorate and celebrate Jamhuri Day. The event which was held in Accra was attended by the Ghanaian Deputy Minister for Tourism, some members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional Leaders, members of the Kenyan community in Ghana as well as other Diaspora and covered by the media. Thank you to our colleagues in Ghana for recognizing such an important day in our Kenyan history.

CABIN ADDs/CABIN STATUS REPORT

The total count of major ADDs continues to gradually come down from a high of 284 in Q3 to stand at 187 in Q4. Your feedback has been instrumental. To support you on visibility of cabin seat serviceability we are now sharing the CABIN STAUTS REPORT with our team leaders for better management of cabin OTIs. We are now receiving over 220 TECNHICAL FEEDBACK REPORT monthly. Well done.

THE YEAR THAT WAS...

Let’s take a walk through the year that was and reminisce on some of our greatest achievements as a department

KQ CHARTERS

With every storm, therein lies great opportunities. Not all storms come to disrupt our lives, some come to clear our paths for a brighter future. The charter business borne from the COVID storm, continues a growth trajectory thanks to our marketing team that heavily relies on the inflight teams to show case the excellence of handling such flights whose service expectations requires us to go over and beyond. We owe this growth to your great execution of this flights which has been instrumental for repeat business. Once again, we say thank you for putting your best foot forward whenever these opportunities come calling. Just but to mention but a few:

In the just concluded year, we have handled and executed well charter flights on the request of Prophet Owuor’s Ministry of repentance and holiness, out of which Kenya Airways secured 19 planned follow up charters most of which will be rolled out in the coming year.

Our partnership with IOM, is equally paying off. Through this partnership, we have supported to execute two asylum seekers repatriation flights to Leipzig in Germany.

The corporate world has equally not been left out; in the same period, we have successfully delighted employees of a Data analytics company in south Africa who reached out for our services to support their team building retreat to Mauritius. The most recent in this category, was the recently concluded charter from Durban to Sham El sheikh in Egypt, where we supported to move factory workers.

Diplomatic missions are also reaching out to support diplomacy and peace building initiatives in Africa and within the region. On this front we were glad to team up with a team of American diplomats and support their mission to Djibouti.

From the feedback shared we, can clearly see how our impact within the cabin is shaping the growth of the charter business. We continue to strategically position ourselves to support this interesting segment of travel and are proud of your support in driving this agenda on board.

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS ROUNDUP

MARKING THE GLOBAL GIRLS IN AVIATION EVENT AT JKIA

We are happy to have been part of this year’s Girls in Aviation Day marked on the 24th of September 2022 in partnership with Women in Aviation International (WAI). The day is marked globally in support and mentorship of young girls between the ages of 8 and 17 who have an interest in the aviation industry’s careers.

We hosted a group of 100 girls from various schools in Kenya, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). We were well represented by Flight Purser, Jean Rose, Assistant Flight Purser, Lillian Obutho, and Flight Attendant, Sheila Mirenje. The team had an exciting time mentoring the aviation leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to supporting more young women to get into aviation.

CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK - INFLIGHT NOT LEFT OUT

In the month of October, we joined our colleagues in celebrating the annual Customer Service Week under the theme, “Celebrating Service.” We had activities lined up across the business to ensure we celebrated our customers and our staff.

At Inflight, we gave our signature personalized service to our guests with a culmination of a plaited service on KQ760 to Johannesburg. Besides, we surprised and delighted our guests celebrating special milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, and honeymoons. etc.

The customer is why we are here. If we take good care of them, they’ll give us a good reason to come back.

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS ROUNDUP

Have you ever wondered why we are always called upon to support corporate events? Your guess is as good as mine. However, from insight, we can now reveal the reasons behind it. When it comes to branding, we must say, Inflight stands out above the rest. Carefully groomed and donned in your redline uniform, the team from inflight brings out the best of the KQ brand and is the go-to department whenever it comes to corporate events support.

From this desk, you can now clearly understand our push to maintain the look and feel and especially when it comes to our grooming and etiquette. The business will forever be indebted to you for representing the organisation’s brand image well. Please remember you are our brand ambassadors wherever you are.

As inflight we will continue to identify and tap into your diverse unique attributes and stage/ position you for upcoming corporate social events. Please feel free to reach out for consideration if you are convicted within.

In the just year that was, Inflight has successfully supported below cooperate events, just but to mention a few:

• Magical Kenya Travel Expo

• Safari Rally

• Route Launches

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS ROUNDUP

BIG WINS AT THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2022

On the 15th of October 2022 during the World Travel Awards held the 29th edition Africa and Indian Ocean Gala dinner at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi. KQ was named Africa’s Leading Airline 2022; Africa’s Leading Airline Brand 2022; Africa’s Leading Airline-Business Class 2022 for the 10th consecutive year, and Africa’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2022 (Msafiri).

Thank you for all that you do. We strive to give nothing less than world-class service with our warm African hospitality.

THE SUSTAINABLE FLIGHT CHALLENGE CREATES INAUGURAL IMPACT

In May, we formed part of the 16 airlines that took part in The Sustainable Flight Challenge (TSFC). Afterward, participating airlines showcased hundreds of unique innovations which could help transform air travel, and knowledge sharing is still ongoing. An initiative where partner airlines shared learnings and innovations with the common goal of reducing the industry’s carbon footprint, hence protecting our planet.

Areas of interest included initiatives on reducing C02 emissions such as fuel efficiency, route planning, ramp operations, sustainable in-flight catering, and reduced singleuse plastics inflight.

Kenya Airways in partnership with NAS Servair bagged the Best Partnership Award. Keep it locked for TSFC 2023!

CREW IN FOCUS – THE COVID CHALLENGE

2020 will forever remain ached in our minds. This was a difficult time to go through globally. Many of us suffered the loss of loved ones from the pandemic; even more, some of our colleagues saw their livelihoods put in peril.

As we slowly get back to our feet, we are happy to have some of our team members rejoin the airline. This year, saw over 150 cabin crew members rehired into the Cabin. The Take-off chatted with some of our retired colleagues.

AZIZUDIN SAIDI GACERE KENNETH – FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work?

It was an eye opener and a season for me to realize that I should utilize my potential where I am instead of waiting for a time when I’ll get to the position I desire. I learnt to bring my ideas into life as soon as I can even if it’s not fully established. I understood that I must establish myself as an individual to be prepared for the uncertainty that life can present.

How has the experience been since re-joining?

Beyond what I expected or anticipated. I’ve been able to join the safety office where I have learnt so much and interacted with so many great minds. I also was privileged to be part of the first cohort of the Intrapreneurship program where we learnt amazing lessons from Airbus. The conversations with crew and fellow staff have been more intentional geared towards having better days for us and the company.

What is it like flying for one of the biggest airlines in Africa?

In the beginning it was tough to fit in to the big name that we have established out there. However, with time I have managed to attach myself to slogan of being the pride of Africa so even when I’m out with friends or in different destinations I tend to feel a sense of pride and belonging when I know that I’m a representative of such a huge entity.

TSUMA FRED – FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work? It was a very unpleasant experience, I hard to move to a smaller house and change school for my children. All the businesses I tried did not work out. It was the lowest moments in my life. On the other side the situation improved my relationship with God, and I learnt that I do not need too much to survive.

How did you feel when you received your golden call, confirming that you had been readmitted to KQ?

It was astounding, I had really prayed and fasted about it and eventually God answered my prayers.

What is it like flying for one of the biggest airlines in Africa?

It is the best Airline in Africa. At the World Travel Awards scooped Africa’s Leading Airline, Africa’s Leading Airline-Business Class, and Africa’s Leading Airline Brand. I feel very elated to be part of this team.

A voice from within those of us who temporarily had to give way for the sustenance of many.

CREW IN FOCUS –THE COVID CHALLENGE

CAROLINE GITHINJI – FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work?

At first it was challenging but as time went by, I was able to adapt to the new norm of life.

It gave me the chance to figure myself out in a different way and discover capabilities I had hidden that obviously I wouldn’t have known if life continued as before.

What is it like flying for one of the biggest airlines in Africa?

Am honoured to fly with The Pride of Africa and be part of the community not to forget the opportunity given to me to be able to see the world. Truly am lucky enough to see the globe at 40,000fts above sea level at different times, day and night at different seasons which is something I hold dearly at heart.

Do you have a favourite destination and if so, what makes it special to you?

Yes, I do, and it would be Capetown in South Africa. It was my first layover when I started flying and since then the place never stops to amaze me with its wonders. So many historical sites to visit not to forget the developments the city have every other day.

DENNIS GATHUMBI WACHAI - FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work?

It was heart-breaking to be away from what I love doing but in that I also discovered other interests, abilities and strengths that have eventually made me a better person today.

What is it like flying for one of the biggest airlines in Africa?

It is first an honour to be part of the pride of Africa and a prestigious feeling to be associated with greatness.

Do you have a favourite destination and if so, what makes it special to you?

Cape Town would be my go-to for this one. From the beautiful landscapes, endless activities to the cultural diversity the city offers. It is most definitely one of my favourites.

REBECCA KAMAU - FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work?

It was a bit challenging but overall, I am grateful since everything happens for a reason. I managed to go to back to school, started a business and got a volunteer job as a Covid-19 Marshall during sports events, with the ministry of sports and health. With this I grew intellectually, career wise and learnt a lot.

How did you feel when you received your golden call, confirming that you had been readmitted to KQ?

At first, I thought it was a joke or prank call, later after confirmation I was so happy, excited, and ready to go back to work.

What is it like flying for one of the biggest airlines in Africa?

Well, flying Kenya Airways as one of the biggest airlines in Africa, is a pride and joy. Every time I go to work I have it in mind that I represent the airline and I should give it my best.

Do you have a favourite destination and if so, what makes it special to you?

My favourite destination is Cape Town, so much to do, many places to tour, serene, pleasant weather and a great ambience.

RUTH GITAU - FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work?

A learning period through reflection on life and personal growth, I pondered a lot about my purpose, and I felt grateful that KQ had given me the opportunity and experience to work for the best airline in Africa.

What is it like flying for one of the biggest airlines in Africa?

It is an impressive privilege, I love my job, and I am using this opportunity to gain experience as much as possible to expand my knowledge base.

Do you have a favourite destination, and if so, what makes it special to you?

Yes, London is my favourite destination, especially in winter; I love the cold and the diverse culture.

ONYANGO SILAS - FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work?

During this period, it was tough, but I realized that all I needed was huge positive energy to fight against the negative forces. I had to go out of my way to ensure that I sustain myself and those depending on me during those bleak times. This was a period to generate positive energy, have courage, understanding and love by doing something extra-ordinary for the well being of the people around me.

How did you feel when you received your golden call, confirming that you had been readmitted to KQ

The golden call was an answered prayer. I felt so excited, and my first reaction was to go down on my knees to thank God for the great breakthrough. At first, I could not believe but, I felt the happiness of reuniting with my job after an extended period. It was like a new beginning and the magic of the new beginning is truly the most powerful of them all.

How has the experience been since re-joining?

Despite the change in covid 19 protocols, my experience during this time of re-joining has been amazing. It has been an experience where I have learnt that we all have a chance to go an extra mile and do something extra ordinary. As we head out of this pandemic we can create an airline of love, an airline where we are kind to each other no matter what class, race, sexual orientation, what religion or lack of or what job we have. Let love and kindness be our roadmap in the inflight cabin

CREW IN FOCUS –THE COVID CHALLENGE

SAMANTHA LOVEGA - FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work?

A good part of that period was a revelation. It was a wake-up call to remind us that everything can change in the blink of an eye. After the initial shock of being jobless and locked down due to a pandemic I settled down to other activities on self improvement and growth. I completed my French course to diploma level, started a creative side business to make money and keep myself occupied. I also started doing yoga as well and it has become a great part of my daily routine.

How did you feel when you received your golden call, confirming that you had been readmitted to KQ

It took me a few seconds to process the call, it had been a few anxious days because most of my colleagues were all recalled before I received my golden call. I remember calling my mother first, we were both excited and relieved.

Do you have a favourite destination and if so, what makes it special to you?

I am a people’s person, a fashionista at heart and have a great passion for learning new vibrant cultures and sampling some of the finest foods. Cape town in South Africa embodies all the above for me and is one of my favourite destinations, closely followed by Paris for the exact reasons.

JOSEPH MUMO - FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work? It was one of the most difficult times and period, but I learnt to accept change and embrace it and workout something out of the difficult moment. (Making lemonade out of lemons)

How did you feel when you received your golden call, confirming that you had been re-admitted to KQ?

It was one of the best moments in my life because I didn’t expect the call. I was so happy to be among the ones who were recalled back. I was eager and ready to resume back to my duties.

What is it like flying for one of the biggest airlines in Africa? It’s a dream come true for me since I used to admire the aerodynamics of aircrafts, the awesome Crew uniforms and the KQ big, bold brand and finally I got the golden chance to work with the company.

KENNEDY CHEGE - FLIGHT ATTENDANT

How would you describe that period during Covid you were out of work?

The COVID period was a tough time for me as I tried to venture into business during a tough economic time. I venture into both the fashion industry and fruit vending business which could barely sustain my family. Overall, God kept me afloat despite the circumstances.

How did you feel when you received your golden call, confirming that you had been re-admitted to KQ?

When I received the golden call for readmission to KQ, I at first hung up as I thought it was a scam but was later extremely overjoyed as I had hit rock bottom financially. I am extremely grateful for the company’s commitment to their promise of readmission.

Do you have a favourite destination and if so, what makes it special to you?

All destinations are great, and it is almost impossible to select a favorite. However, Cape Town is always an interesting destination to be. I like the people, their culture, and the beautiful scenery like Table Mountain, Waterfront, and the colorful houses of Boo Kaap. It is endowed with rich motifs of Africa’s history of the scramble for liberation of South Africans from colonial rule, which was spearheaded by the great Nelson Mandela.

INFLIGHT WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS

We are excited to continue to grow our incredible team with the addition of Paul Omache, Senior Catering Manager and Candy Rachar, Catering Analyst. Kindly join us in welcoming the new team members into the Inflight and Catering Family.

PAUL OMACHE - SENIOR CATERING MANAGER

Paul Omache is the current Senior Catering Manager of Kenya Airways. Born in Kenya, he graduated with a Bachelor of Hotel & Restaurant Management from the United States International University – Africa, a Certificate in Front Office Procedures from Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi and has attended French classes at Alliance Français (DELF B2), Italian Language at the Italian Institute of Culture and Chinese Mandarin at Confucius Institute in Nairobi. He has also done courses related to Trainer of Trainers, Project Management, Executive Leadership and Operations Management with the Serena Group of Hotels management development program.

Omache is a vastly experienced manager in the hospitality industry by specialization in chain hotels & resorts with a passion for mentoring aspiring future hospitality professionals. He has specialized in general operations management, customer experience, menu planning and costing and extensive knowledge of the food industry.

Before joining KQ as SCM, Paul Omache had also worked in several top positions in leading 5-star hotels & resort as a Front Office Manager, Operations Manager, Assistant General Manager, General Manager Operations and Hotel Manager. He enjoys art & craft, movies, travelling

CANDY RACHAR - CATERING ANALYST

Candy Rachar is a Finance & Accounting professional with extensive knowledge of complex financial ecosystems. Currently working as a catering analyst at Kenya Airways, she has earned the reputation of being reliable and a team player with the willingness to do what is necessary to achieve departmental and organizational goals.

Her experience as an account assistant for the past four years at Kenya Airways, ground services finance department saw her generate ad hoc reports and deliver accurate, detailed documentation that supports management initiatives. Candy holds a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Management from Moi University, a Bachelor of Commerce Finance from KCA University, and a CPAK and currently pursuing a Master of Science (Finance) at the University of Nairobi.

When she is not working Candy enjoys general reading, music and making new friends outdoors.

THE UNSUNG HEROS CORNER

2022 has been a successful year though not with a few hitches which we have been able to successfully surmount. It’s important to recognize acts of heroism, and resilience of those who work behind the scenes to help us achieve our mandate as Inflight and as an airline at large.

That’s why as Inflight, we have created the unsung heroes’ corner to highlight excellent contributions to our operations and celebrate acts of amazing work done by our colleagues that make us emerge at the top.

In this issue, we feature Magdalynn Gichuru and Clotilda Osundwa our key stakeholders in crew planning within the

crew scheduling section. Our huts go off to the two ladies who work tirelessly behind the scenes, day, and night with limited crew resources to ensure our ever-increasing network is sustained in the air by ensuring all flights are adequately crewed. This is no mean fit, especially the planning aspect that goes into ensuring your schedules are as balanced as possible.

You may have or not have interacted with the duo, but without a doubt, we can affirmatively say they are the all-important cog in flight operations planning, safety as well as the wellbeing of our crew and the reason behind the smiles for many of us. Below is an excerpt from their interview:

1. What do you like most about your job? Take us through a typical day at work.

• The dynamic nature of flight operations that has you calm in one second and almost pulling hairs the next. I love-hate this aspect to be honest.

• A typical day starts with me checking emails and responding as promptly as possible to all queries. My ‘to-do’ list would typically include tasks relating to training requirements, network changes, Pre-Ops. As well as tasks relating to planning the next roster period.

• I also engage and support our stakeholders on matters arising.

• My notebook is essential in noting down/checking off pending tasks. I do not always get to check of everything though…. remember that dynamic nature I mentioned earlier?!

2. What are some of the most important factors you consider when crewing a flight?

• Crew legality

• Popular landing balance

• BLH balance

• Destination variation (to some degree)

3. As a lead planner, can you share a summary of what it takes to plan crew for flights and ensure 100% coverage?

• As planners, we plan crew on flights-long term. One must ensure that all trainings are in check as well as other pre-assignments such as leave and flight requests. We also create flight rotations that optimize crew as much as possible…. this helps in maximizing crew and ensuring flight coverage.

• We then strive to cover flights as we balance locals, layovers, popular destinations and BLH within the pre-assigned duties on the crew rosters. These factors have varying degrees of priority and as such cannot be met in equal measure.

• This exercise to some extent can only be done manually and is not a perfect science.

4.

• Presently, I believe we are not yet at the ideal crew count (all rated

crew) to fully support our expanding operations as well as ensure considerable leave uptake/SBY numbers to cater to disruptions.

• We are also facing equipment challenges that lead to numerous delays and major constraints on crew.

• There has been great improvement from the previous year and hopefully soon, we will get to that ‘ideal’ space.

5. From a planner’s perspective, kindly comment on some of the challenges you experience in your assignment.

• Numerous and often, last minute network changes that cause us to rework rosters repeatedly. This leads to heavy workload with very tight timelines.

• Last minute requests from different stakeholders.

• Coverage of flights especially on months that are busy, and the crew count is not sufficient.

• Striving to plan well balanced rosters while factoring various varying factors.

6. Any comment on work-life balance?

• Very imperative in life…and one must be very intentional about it.

7. Any final comments?

• I appreciate this opportunity presented to the team. Looking forward to continuing working amicably together.

We continue to have challenges in crewing some flights. What is the cause of this gap?

MAGDALYNN GICHURU CABIN CREW PLANNER

1. Give us a brief introduction of yourself and what you do at KQ?

• My name is Clotilda Osundwa, a cabin crew planner in crew scheduling.

2. What do you like most about your job? Take us through a typical day at work.

• Flight operation is very dynamic and each day I get to learn a new thing.

• A typical day starts with preparing a to-do list, then check emails and responding as promptly as possible to all queries. On the to-do-list, tasks for the previous day that I was not able to complete due to one or two reasons are included, training requirements, network changes, Pre-Ops. Tasks relating to planning the next roster period are also included. We also get to support other stakeholders.

• The to-do-list is not cast on stone – Depending on the day’s operations/ requirements, it is not followed to the latter.

3. As a lead planner, can you share a summary of what it takes to plan crew for flights and ensure 100% coverage?

• As planners, we generally plan crew on flights-long term. One has to ensure that all trainings are in check as well as other pre-assignments such as leave and flight requests. We also create flight rotations that optimize crew as much as possible This greatly helps in maximizing crew and ensuring flight coverage.

• We then strive to cover flights as we balance locals, layovers, popular destinations and BLH (block hours) within the pre-assigned duties on the crew rosters. These factors have varying degrees of priority and as such cannot be met in equal measure.

4. Any comment on work-life balance?

• Personal life doesn’t stop when you are working, all we need to do is find a balance between the two.

5. Any final comments?

• Every day is a learning process. Thank you for the opportunity & the support.

CLOTILDA OSUNDWA CABIN CREW PLANNER

HEALTH CORNER

by Linda Oketch, Clinician - KQ Medical

BACK CARE FOR CREW

80% of adults experience back pain at one point or the other.

90% of the back pain is mechanical meaning it is caused by accidents or strenuous activities. The nature of work for crew predisposes them to back pain if care and precautionary measures are not taken.

INJURIES

SITTING TECHNIQUE

• Sit upright with your back resting on the back rest.

• Lean on back rest and avoid twisting of neck to hold phone (strains neck).

• Avoid extreme multitasking.

STANDING TECHNIQUE

• Step with one foot on a higher step or surface and alternate when tired

• If on a flat surface, place your feet a shoulder width apart to distribute your weight evenly.

• Keep your head in line with your shoulders and ensure your shoulders are in line with your pelvis.

• Stand close to work surface which should be at waist level &work with elbows 90 degrees to work surface.

CHARACTERISTICS OF WORKPLACE INJURIES

• Occur from a single event or many small injuries

• Take weeks, months, or years to develop

• Produce no symptoms in early stages, but show symptoms after injury has occurred

• Contributing causes may occur at home and at work

• Same injuries may differ in severity from person to person doing a similar task

WALKING TECHNIQUE

Three-point-touch on a staircase and escalator

• 1st contact – Right leg

• 2nd contact – Left leg

• 3rd Contact – Hand on the rail

TIPS TO KEEP BACK INJURIES AT BAY

• Maintain situational awareness

• Avoid unnecessary repetitive motion

• Avoid lifting heavy objects, if the load is manageable, keep it close to your center of gravity, at your chest.

• Avoid working in far reaching (overstretching) with arms raised

• Avoid prolonged working in awkward position

• Maintain physical fitness

• Avoid excessive weight gain (BMI)

• Swimming is the best exercise for back pain as you maintain a natural position

• Use a firm bed, it helps maintain your natural spine curve.

• Stay hydrated

• If you have concerns about back pain, either before or after

MOMENTS OF INFLIGHT DELIGHTS

When @dennilski reached out to KQ on Twitter that she would like special treatment for the 3-year-old son, Master Alpha, little did she know that her wish would soon become a reality. Led by our catering team, we quickly put together a wonderful surprise plan for our little guest aboard their flight KQ604 to Mombasa.

The team led by Captain Paula and Flight Purser Lenoi surprised our special guest with a birthday cake in his honour. They made a personalized onboard announcement to celebrate the little guest. Master Alpha also had an awesome opportunity to take pictures with the flight deck crew. We believe we gave them a memorable day.

JUST FOR LAUGHS

UNIQUENESS

OF

BEING A CABIN CREW

Being a cabin crew is fun, however, it comes with its peculiar phenomenon that only the Cabin crew can explain.

You know you’ve been a cabin crew for too long if this is normal to you:

• You can guess a bag’s weight just by looking at it.

• You use the 24 hr clock to tell time.

• Your bathroom is full of hotel miniature toiletries

• Eating while standing at the kitchen counter even while at home

• The long hours, jet lag, and repetition of duties can sometimes have a lasting effect and result in confusion.

• Saying “Foil” refers to food

• Referring to “One less” or “One dead” in reference to lazy ones

Any Cabin Crew member will definitely understand this list and probably have experienced many of these phenomena. You can add to the above list and share with your colleague and friends, the uniqueness of being a cabin crew.

DOWN MEMORY LANE

Memories

POSITION YOURSELF FOR INCREASE IN 2023

As we head into the next year, many of us are thinking of setting goals and positioning ourselves for success and increase. We all have different desires and what better time than now to reflect on the progress made this year and to effectively plan for 2023. A lot can happen in a year, so it is important to reflect and plan. Today I will share three tips for positioning yourself and staying on track.

Separate Yourself

Take time out, a day or two, and lock yourself somewhere quiet. Move out of your usual environment and find a place where no one else is around to disturb you so that you can review your progress this year, meditate and receive direction for next year. Reflect on your Life’s journey, family, personal and work relationships, and review your spiritual life, health, career, and the progress that you have made this year, just to mention a few.

Take time and forgive those who offended you or let you down and forgive yourself too. Decide to release and let go of every anger and resentment that you may be carrying in your heart. Forgiveness is very important because it brings inner peace and frees you from the control of the person who offended you. It can be hard to forgive especially if the person who offended you doesn’t admit wrongdoing. When you find yourself facing such a situation, reflect on times when others have forgiven you. Free yourself and have a clear conscious.

Thanksgiving

Thank God for the year that has been. Mention everything you are grateful for; you can write them down. There are many things to be grateful for, Your life, health, family, protection, career, etc.

Give thanks despite all that has tried and tested you this year. We all went through some rough patches and came out alive. Be grateful.

A heart of gratitude brings contentment and carries the power to bring encouragement, edification and builds up faith.

As you give thanks, remember to give to the less privileged. Find someone in need and help them, give without expecting anything in return. Make their festive season joyful.

by Judy Ogutu

Meditate and Write Down Your Vision. Meditation is allowing the plan and promises of God upon your life to occupy your thoughts deliberately.

Be honest with yourself as you review your progress this year. This is where I am now. What do I need to do to move to the next level? take time out to think, reason, inquire, look for solutions, plan and write down your vision.

Think about your personal vision and purpose. Seek clarity if you don’t have it already. Remember we all exist for a certain purpose and understanding purpose is what is known as vision. Vision, therefore, is having insight into your life’s plan. Connect with vision. What plan do you have for your life? Are you on the right pathway? Do you have a picture of the destined outcome? What does the end look like? What level of impact or mark will you make in your family and children, friends, community, and your organization? Your picture of your destined outcome is Vision.

Think about our company’s vision too. Be The Pride of Africa by inspiring our people and delighting our guests consistently.

We have expressed what we want to become, where we want to be and what we want to be known for. Think about this and your personal contribution towards achieving this. Connect and take ownership of our vision, what is your part and lot? What will you personally do to help us achieve our vision? Does your personal and KQ vision marry? How can we build better working relationships? cultivating respectful, open communication, better Manager and Employee relationships, what will you do differently? What sacrifices are you willing to take for the benefit of our customers and organization? Meditate on these things.

We have hopes and ambitions to become:

• The preferred African Carrier by 2024

• Break-even by 2024

• Be the employer of choice by 2024

These are our aspirations, and we have hope that we will make it.

For every problem or challenge that comes into your mind, think of solutions. Then share with your manager. Let not your thoughts dwell on pressure, worry, anxiety, and how bad a problem is. Worry is problem-centered

thinking. Do not analyze how terrible a situation is, instead mediate on the solution. There is always a way out because where there is a will there is a way. Do not tire of giving feedback and suggestions.

You exist for a certain purpose and KQ exists for a purpose too, meditate on these things, write them down, including your plan and actions, add milestones, and get an accountability partner to help you track your progress. If you apply this wisdom, you will surely increase in all areas and our company will equally benefit from your contribution. Always remember you are valued and your contribution matters. Keep a positive attitude. Believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.

It is my hope and praye

It is my hope and prayer that something in your heart has been stirred up and that 2023 will be a great and productive year for you. Merry Christmas and God bless you!

OUR NEW ROUTES

EDITOR Agnes Mwamba CONTRIBUTERS

Pauline Kihara; Kevin Otiende; Hannington Kataka. Linda Oketch; Judy Ogutu; Safo Anthony GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Timothy Njue

We’d Love to Hear from You! Do you have a story; a poem; suggestions or photos you would like to share with us? Kindly get in touch with us on Inflight.CommsChampions@kenya-airways.com