Multiple flight delays have been reported at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) despite government agencies’ efforts to contain disruptions resulting from the aviation workers strike which started on Monday.
Several airlines, including Kenya Airways which operates mainly from JKIA, reported delays even as the aviation and airports authorities said they are implementing contingency measures to avoid disruptions.
This comes as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) went on strike after failing to agree with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) on a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which has been pending since 2015 and has seen some employees go for over a decade without a pay rise.
The strike took off despite the Employment and Labour Relations court suspending the industrial action on Friday following a petition by Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
“KCAA wishes to inform the public and aviation stakeholders that it has activated its operational continuity measures in light of the planned industrial action by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union,” said the regulator in a statement Monday morning.
KCAA is the organization that oversees civil aviation and is responsible for safe management of airspace. It employs air navigation operators that guide takeoff and landing of airplanes.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), which is responsible for the management of airports such as JKIA, has also said it has “activated” contingency plans as delays impacted departing flights from the country’s main airport.
Kenya Airways (KQ), JKIA’s anchor airline, reported delays due to the resulting disruptions caused by the workers’ strike even as KCAA announced the contingency measures.
“We are currently experiencing air traffic control operational delays at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, affecting certain departures and arrivals. Passengers are advised to expect schedule adjustments, including delays,” said KQ in a statement.
Other than KQ’s, several flights that were meant to depart from JKIA on Monday morning were delayed due to the strike, affecting a number of local and international airlines.
Live tracking data showed that as of midday, several flights meant to depart from JKIA had been delayed by over 2 hours. Affected airlines include KQ, Jambojet, Ethiopian Airlines, Uganda Airlines, RwandAir, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, among others.
This is not the first time an aviation workers’ strike has disrupted flights from the country’s main airport. In September 2024, a similar industrial action by KAWU led to millions of losses across the industry.
The Fresh Produce Association of Kenya, which constitutes businesses that export fresh-cut flowers, fruits and vegetables, says it loses Sh410 million every day that aviation workers’ strikes cause disruptions at the airport.
The Kenya Association of Travel Agents also says it loses an estimated Sh2 million in ticket sales per day when the aviation sector is paralysed by the strike.
