Passengers stranded as Kenya Airways' pilots strike

Kenya Airways Saturday warned its striking pilots they could be dismissed if they do not return to work immediately as industrial action led to the cancellation of dozens of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded. The pilots at one of Africa's largest carriers downed tools from 6 a.m local time on Saturday, affecting business and leisure travellers at one of Africa's most important aviation hubs. In an internal memo to pilots seen by Reuters, the carrier said the strike was illegal and asked pilots to return to duty immediately. "This (strike) has resulted in major inconvenience to our guests and the consequent losses. This action is construed as participating and engaging in an illegal industrial action," the memo said. "Pilots not reporting on duty...will have disobeyed lawful orders issued by management and calls for disciplinary action, which may result in dismissal." Earlier on Saturday the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) said the carrier's management had declined to listen to their proposals on how to resolve their grievances "No KQ (Kenya Airways) aircraft has departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport flown by a KALPA member from 6 a.m. this morning," the union said. "The strike is fully in force." Kenya Airways apologised to passengers in a statement and said it would do its best to minimise the inconvenience, which could include rebooking them onto alternative flights.<br/>