Strike at the Skies: Worker Walkout Triggers Flight Delays at Nairobi’s Busiest Airport

Passengers at Nairobi’s main airport faced long waits and confusion on Monday after a workers’ strike disrupted flight operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The delays were announced by the Kenya Airports Authority, which said departing flights were the most affected. Some arriving flights were also disrupted. The problem was caused by an ongoing strike by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, also known as KAWU.

The union is in a labour dispute with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. KAWU had issued a seven day strike notice to the authority. That notice expired over the weekend. Workers began their strike early on Monday.

As a result, key airport processes slowed down. Aircraft clearances took longer. Some flights were held on the ground. Schedules began to change across the day.

Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, confirmed that the industrial action had affected some of its departures and arrivals. The airline warned passengers to expect delays and schedule adjustments.

In a statement, the airline said it was working with airport and aviation authorities to reduce the disruption while keeping operations safe. It also urged passengers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport and to follow official communication channels for updates.

Low cost carrier Jambojet also warned of delays. The airline said all flights across its network were affected, with the possibility of longer ground holding times because of delayed clearances. It added that delays could increase as the situation continues.

KCAA said it had activated its operational continuity measures ahead of the strike. The authority insisted that critical aviation safety and air navigation services were still running under contingency plans.

It also said it was engaging all stakeholders in line with labour laws and court directions and remained open to dialogue.

KAWU says the strike is driven by unresolved worker grievances. These include a lack of salary reviews for employees who have served for more than 11 years. The union is also demanding full implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements and the inclusion of contract staff in pensionable terms.

For many travellers, the impact is already clear. Long queues have formed. Flight times remain uncertain. As talks continue, passengers are being urged to stay informed and plan ahead.