Flight operations at Kenya’s main airports were disrupted on Sunday after aviation workers resumed industrial action, leaving passengers facing lengthy delays and uncertainty over departures.
The disruption was most pronounced at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya’s main international gateway, where passengers reported extended waiting times as airlines struggled with operational delays.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed that some departing flights at its airports were experiencing delays and advised passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest information on their flight status.
KAA said it was working with aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to manage the situation and minimise disruption to airport operations. The authority did not initially provide details on the cause of the delays in its passenger advisory.
The disruption came as members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) downed their tools at the Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and Jambojet.
KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema confirmed the strike, saying workers would remain on strike until their grievances were addressed. The union has cited unresolved issues including collective bargaining agreements, remuneration, employment contracts, job security and career progression.
Kenya Airways reports delays of more than three hours
The disruption has directly affected airline schedules at JKIA.
Kenya Airways issued a customer update on Sunday warning passengers of delays of between two and three hours on departures from JKIA, attributing the disruption to ongoing air traffic control challenges.
In a subsequent update, the national carrier reported that only 30 per cent of its scheduled flights had departed by 2:00 p.m. East Africa Time. Flights that had departed were operating with an average delay of two to three hours, while some subsequent departures were experiencing delays of more than three hours.
The airline said it was continuing to monitor the situation and work with relevant stakeholders as efforts continued to manage the disruption.
The distinction between the causes cited by the different stakeholders is significant. While KQ has referred to air traffic control challenges affecting its operations, KAWU has publicly linked the disruption to the workers’ industrial action, while KAA has described the immediate situation as delays affecting some departing flights.
Jambojet operations also affected
Jambojet, which is among the employers targeted by the industrial action, has also been affected by the disruption.
The airline operates a substantial domestic network from Nairobi, meaning delays at JKIA have the potential to affect both domestic passengers and travellers connecting to international services.
The current disruption follows a previous aviation labour dispute that was temporarily resolved after government intervention and negotiations with the union. The latest strike therefore represents a renewed escalation of longstanding disagreements between the union, aviation agencies and affected employers.
Passengers left waiting for updates
At JKIA, passengers have faced prolonged waits as airlines work through delayed schedules.
The disruption is particularly significant for passengers travelling on international itineraries, where a delay on the first sector can result in missed connections, onward travel complications and additional accommodation or rebooking requirements.
KAA has urged passengers to contact their airlines directly before travelling to the airport and to plan their journeys accordingly. The authority said it would issue further updates as the situation develops.
Airlines and travel agents are consequently dealing with passengers seeking information on revised departure times, missed connections and possible rebooking options.
Stakeholders seek to contain disruption
The latest developments have placed Kenya’s aviation stakeholders under pressure to restore normal operations while negotiations over the workers’ grievances continue.
KAA says it is coordinating with aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to minimise the impact on passengers and keep airport operations moving.
KAWU, meanwhile, maintains that the industrial action will continue until its outstanding concerns are addressed. The union’s grievances include claims relating to salary structures, implementation of collective bargaining agreements, prolonged contracts and career progression.
For now, there is no indication of a complete shutdown of Kenya’s airports. Flights continue to operate, but schedules remain significantly affected, particularly at JKIA.
Passengers are being advised to verify their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport and to allow for substantially longer travel times.
The situation remains fluid, with airlines, airport authorities, aviation agencies and the workers’ union expected to provide further updates as negotiations and operational efforts continue.
