New Kenya Airways boss Mbuvi Ngunze turns focus on clients
A section of the Kenya Airways Pride Lounge at the international departure area of Terminal 1A at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on November 11, 2014. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU |
What you need to know:
- Mr Ngunze said he was aware of complaints from passengers and that his primary focus will be to change that.
- Mr Ngunze said the airline would start flying to more destinations in Africa and increase frequency to the existing ones.
New Kenya Airways Group managing director Mbuvi Ngunze has officially assumed office with a pledge to focus on improving the national carrier’s customer experience.
Mr Ngunze, who took office on November 1, said he was aware of complaints from passengers and that his primary focus will be to change that.
He takes over from Mr Titus Naikuni, who retired after 11 years at the helm of the national carrier.
“We have spent the past few years investing in the improvement of our fleet and today, we have the youngest fleet in Africa. My focus will be on the service. As I take over, I am excited because this will be a transformative season,” Mr Ngunze said on Tuesday.
NEW LOUNGES
He spoke at the launch of two new lounges that will be used by the airline’s premium customers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s recently opened Terminal 1A.
The two facilities, with a combined capacity of 350 passengers, have been developed at a cost of Sh135 million.
The lounges will be used by passengers flying business class and members of the airlines priority club, either embarking at JKIA or in transit.
Mr Ngunze was appointed to the position in June after serving the company for three years as the chief operations officer.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, accounting option, from the University of Nairobi and is a Chartered Accountant (England and Wales).
Mr Ngunze takes over at a time when the airline is experiencing turbulence having been forced to discontinue flights to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in the wake of the Ebola outbreak.
Last month, Kenya Airways said it expected to incur losses of upto Sh4 billion from the suspension of flights to those West African destinations.
“We are going through the turbulent times but the future is bright. Our partners were recently complaining about the status of our fleet, and that is now settled. The next thing is improving our service and we will get there,” he said.
Mr Ngunze said the airline would start flying to more destinations in Africa and increase frequency to the existing ones.
