A strike action by airport workers at Kenya’s main international airport has disrupted flights for thousands of passengers, with delays and cancellations continuing into a second day.
The industrial action at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi began on Sunday and has affected both domestic and international travel. Long queues formed at the airport as passengers waited for information about delayed and cancelled flights.
The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union said the strike was driven by several unresolved grievances, including the failure to conclude a collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
The union also accused the Kenya Airports Authority and Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, of failing to cooperate in resolving outstanding issues.
The Kenya Airports Authority acknowledged on Sunday that some flights were experiencing delays but did not provide details on the cause. The authority did not immediately respond to further requests for comment.
RwandAir cancelled two flights because of what it described as air traffic control challenges at Nairobi’s airport, adding to the disruption affecting regional travellers.
Some passengers reported spending more than 12 hours at the airport waiting for updates. Others said flights were repeatedly delayed before eventually being cancelled, leaving them with limited options for reaching their destinations.
The strike is affecting Kenya’s most important aviation hub. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serves as a major gateway between East Africa and international markets, making disruptions there capable of affecting airlines, tourism and regional trade.
The union and government officials held talks on Sunday in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but the discussions failed to produce an immediate agreement. Further negotiations were scheduled for Monday.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema said the strike would remain in place while the talks continued.
The disruption comes as Kenya’s aviation industry works to expand capacity and strengthen Nairobi’s position as a regional transport hub. Prolonged industrial action could put additional pressure on airlines already dealing with operational and financial challenges.
For passengers, the immediate impact has been long delays, cancellations and uncertainty over departure times. Airlines have been forced to adjust schedules as airport operations remain disrupted.
The government now faces pressure to resolve the dispute quickly and prevent the disruption from spreading or lasting longer. A prolonged strike could create a growing backlog of passengers and further affect airlines operating through Nairobi.
The negotiations will determine whether normal operations can resume at Kenya’s busiest airport or whether passengers should expect further disruption in the coming days.
Stay ahead of the Stories shaping our world. Subscribe to Impact Newswire and join our
WhatsApp Channel for updates on global tech, business, and innovation—all in one place.
Dive deeper into the future with the Cause Effect 4.0 Podcast, where we explore the ideas, trends, and technologies driving the global AI conversation.
Got a story to share? Contact Us to reach a global audience with Impact Newswire.
Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
Discover more from Impact Newswire
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
