Hundreds of passengers remained stranded at Kenya’s main international airport on Monday as a strike by aviation workers entered its second day, disrupting flights and forcing some travellers to spend the night at the terminal.
Several flights were cancelled at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Sunday as workers continued their industrial action over a dispute with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
An AFP journalist at the airport saw hundreds of passengers waiting amid the disruption, while local media reported that some travellers had been unable to leave the airport overnight.
Kenya Airways said flights were still operating but were facing average delays of between two and three hours.
“Nothing is happening, updates are reaching us late. It’s ruining our itinerary,” 22-year-old traveller William Obino told AFP.
Workers demand new agreement
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) says the strike is linked to the Kenya Airports Authority’s failure to finalise a new collective bargaining agreement.
The union is also opposing the deployment of National Youth Service volunteers as airport staff.
The dispute has disrupted operations at JKIA, a key aviation hub serving Nairobi and connecting Kenya with destinations across Africa and beyond.
KAA said it was working with aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to contain the disruption and maintain airport operations.
The authority said it was “working closely with the relevant aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to manage the situation, minimise disruption and facilitate the smooth flow of airport operations.”
Travellers face further disruption
The strike has already resulted in cancellations and significant delays, with uncertainty continuing for passengers travelling through Nairobi.
JKIA is Kenya’s main international gateway and a major hub for East African air travel. Continued industrial action could result in further flight disruptions if the dispute is not resolved.
The latest strike is also the latest in a series of labour disputes to affect the airport in recent years, as workers push for improved working conditions and the implementation of collective bargaining agreements.
For now, passengers have been advised to monitor flight information with their airlines as negotiations between the workers and authorities continue.