Thousands of travellers have been left facing prolonged delays and flight cancellations at Kenya’s main international airport as a go-slow by aviation workers entered its second day, disrupting operations at one of East Africa’s most important air transport hubs.
The industrial action at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi has affected passengers waiting to depart and those connecting through the Kenyan capital, with some spending several hours at the airport without clear information about when their flights would operate.
The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU), which is leading the action, disclosed that the dispute stems from several unresolved grievances involving aviation authorities and companies operating at the airport. Among the union’s concerns is the failure to conclude a collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), as well as the lack of cooperation from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways.
The continued industrial action has raised concerns over the potential impact on Kenya’s aviation sector, which plays a critical role in connecting the country to destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
JKIA serves as a major regional aviation hub, handling international travellers as well as significant passenger and cargo traffic. Any prolonged disruption at the facility therefore risks extending beyond individual passengers to airlines, businesses, tourism operators and the wider economy.
The Kenya Airports Authority acknowledged earlier that some flights were experiencing delays but did not provide details on the reasons behind the disruption.
Also, RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, stated that it had cancelled two flights as a result of air traffic control challenges at Nairobi’s airport.
Meanwhile, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema stated that representatives of the union and government met, but the discussions failed to produce an immediate resolution.
“We have agreed to proceed with the engagements tomorrow, from 11 a.m. In the meantime, the strike action is still on.”
Moss Ndiema
Unfulfilled Government Commitments Rekindle Kenya Aviation Workers’ Strike
Kenya’s latest aviation strike has been driven by the government’s failure to honour commitments made under a framework agreement reached with workers in July, reviving a dispute that has already disrupted flights and stranded passengers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other airports.
KAWU had suspended an earlier strike notice on July 27 after reaching an agreement with the government and aviation agencies to address several outstanding grievances within 30 days. The union subsequently withdrew the suspension after key commitments were not fulfilled, paving the way for the latest industrial action.
The dispute extends beyond the immediate operational challenges at Kenya’s airports, with workers raising longstanding concerns over remuneration, recruitment policies and the composition of management boards at key aviation agencies.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema noted that employees of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) had gone years without a salary review.
He indicated that, “since 2015, 1st of July, KCAA staff have never had a salary review or salary increment.”
He also said the Salaries and Remuneration Commission had indicated that it lacked the resources to implement collective bargaining agreements retrospectively but was prepared to implement arrears under the current pay arrangement, which dates back to 2023.
The industrial action involves air traffic controllers and airport workers affiliated with KCAA and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), slowing air traffic control and other airport operations.
KCAA confirmed that air traffic control services had been slowed, contributing to rolling delays and flight diversions across the country.
For KAWU, however, restoring normal operations will depend on addressing its outstanding demands.
“There will be no return to work formula without a recognition agreement and a condition that all disciplinary decisions that have been made for the last two years have to be reviewed.”
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
KAA has urged passengers to contact their airlines before travelling to airports to confirm flight schedules, while saying it is working with carriers and other aviation stakeholders to minimise the disruption.
Kenya Airways has also reported a growing backlog, with delays exceeding six hours forcing the carrier to cancel and reschedule some flights.
“We advise our customers to only come to the airport once they have a confirmed flight. Customers who would like to change/reschedule their flights can do so without penalt.,”
Kenya Airports Authority
With negotiations continuing, passengers remain the immediate casualties of the labour dispute, facing prolonged waits, cancelled journeys and possible additional accommodation and travel costs as Kenya’s aviation sector attempts to navigate the renewed industrial action.
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