In brief
A nationwide go‑slow strike by aviation workers has disrupted operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, forcing flights to cancel and delay. Passengers waiting for their departure have endured long waits, with some staying in the terminal throughout the night. Kenya Airways has delayed flights by more than six hours and offered penalty‑free rebooking for affected travellers. The strike follows unresolved disputes over working conditions and the implementation of a prior agreement.
Hundreds of travellers were left stranded at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, as a workers’ strike continued for the second day, disrupting flights across the region.
The airport authority and Kenya Airways warned that departing flights would be delayed, while a new round of talks called for Monday—though talks broke down the day before without an agreement.
Kenya Airways said the “industrial action by air traffic control workers” had caused delays of more than six hours, forcing the airline to cancel some departures and offering penalty‑free rebooking to impacted passengers.
Passengers shared frustration: one traveller, travelling to a wedding in Florida, said he had waited 12 hours and would only catch a flight tomorrow night. Another, a 22‑year‑old, said “Nothing is happening, updates are reaching us late. It’s ruining our itinerary.”
The strike follows a February dispute over collective bargaining and the use of volunteers at the airport. Union officials cited unresolved concerns over working conditions and earlier agreements.
JKIA, one of Africa’s busiest hubs, handled about nine million passengers last year and remains a critical gateway between the continent and the world, underscoring the widespread impact of the disruption.
The situation remains unresolved, with negotiations ongoing as passengers wait for clear flight schedules and relief from the prolonged strain on Kenya’s aviation sector.
