Hundreds of passengers have been stranded at Kenya’s main international airport in Nairobi as flight disruptions entered a second day amid a workers’ strike.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), one of East Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, has been affected by industrial action by aviation sector workers. The workers are demanding better working conditions and implementation of a previously agreed deal.
The disruption has left passengers facing lengthy delays, cancellations and diverted flights, with some spending the night in and around the airport’s check-in areas while waiting for updates.
Kenya’s airports authority and national carrier, Kenya Airways, warned on Sunday that departing flights could be delayed as the strike continued.
A fresh round of talks between unions and airport managers was scheduled for Monday. This comes after negotiations broke down the previous day without an agreement.
Kenya Airways Cancels Flights Amid Delays
Kenya Airways said it was experiencing delays of more than six hours because of industrial action by air traffic control workers.
The airline said the resulting backlog had also forced it to cancel some departures. It apologised to affected passengers and said those who wished to change or reschedule their flights could do so without paying a penalty.
Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed numerous flights affected by delays, cancellations and diversions.
RwandAir also announced the cancellation of two flights on Monday, citing ongoing constraints affecting air traffic control services at JKIA. The airline had already cancelled flights on Sunday.
The disruptions have created uncertainty for travellers with connecting flights and other time-sensitive commitments.
Passengers Describe Hours of Uncertainty
Travellers at the airport have described long waits and limited information about when their flights would operate. Mendel Goldman, who was travelling for a wedding, told Reuters that his flight had been cancelled after several delays.
He said he had already spent 12 hours waiting at the airport.
“The earliest flight they can get us is only tomorrow night, so we’ve got to wait,” he said.
“We’re going to try and make most of it, but in the meantime, I’ve been here for 12 hours now, waiting in the airport.”
Another traveller, 22-year-old William Obino, told AFP that passengers were receiving updates late.
“Nothing is happening, updates are reaching us late. It’s ruining our itinerary,” he said.
Workers Demand Better Conditions
The strike follows a two-day dispute in February involving collective bargaining and the use of volunteers at the airport.
Union officials said they proceeded with industrial action because key concerns had remained unresolved. The workers are demanding improved working conditions and implementation of an agreement previously reached with airport management.
Negotiations between the unions and airport authorities were expected to continue as both sides sought to resolve the dispute.
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