Kenya Airways sued for libel

The battle for passengers in the domestic airline market has gone to courts with Jetlink Express suing Kenya Airways for defamation.

In the suit filed at the High Court last month, Jetlink has accused the national carrier of sending out communication with the intent of defaming and undermining it.

Also sued is KQ’s country manager for Southern Sudan Emmanuel Chepkong’a, who is said to have sent an email to travel agents saying that: “JO (Jetlink Express) and B5 (East African Safari Air Express) (am told) will not be operating.”

Jetlink terms the action “defamatory and without fairness and justification,” as it implied the airline was incapable of carrying passengers or was pulling out of the Juba route.

Jetlink also identified a Kenya Airways internal memo of January 4, which identifies Jetlink as its main competitor.

“We need to finish this competitor even if we sustain some losses on the route to move customers back,” the memo says.

In the internal memo, Kenya Airways said low fares introduced on the Kisumu route had helped increase passenger numbers but not to the extent required to break even.

Jetlink is asking for a permanent injunction restraining Kenya Airways, its employees, agents and directors from publishing any libelous words on Jetlink or negatively attacking it in addition to general damages for libel and defamation. It is also seeking punitive and aggravated damages.

Jetlink was the first Kenyan airline to offer direct flights to Juba.

The fight for market share on domestic routes has been intense as smaller airlines like Jetlink, Fly 540, Air Kenya and Safarilink expand their wings.

As of September, Kenya Airways domestic passenger fell by 2.7 per cent as other airlines returned positive growth.

Kenya Airways has increased flights to Mombasa from 42 to 59 a week as well as Kisumu and is set to launch flights to Malindi in December.

Two weeks ago, Kenya Airways introduced the Mombasa shuttle of two dedicated planes and reduced fares.