Nairobi – A worker’s strike disrupted flights and air traffic control operations at Kenya’s main airport on Monday, the national carrier said.
The JKIA is one of Africa’s busiest hubs.
Last week, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) gave notice of a strike, starting on Monday, over unresolved grievances, including an employment agreement that is stalled in negotiations.
KAWU threatened a “total shutdown of Kenyan airspace” if its demands were not met by Monday.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) says ongoing aviation workers strike at the JKIA has caused significant operational disruptions, warns that the work boycott will affect “crew scheduling and rest, thereby increasing fatigue risk” pic.twitter.com/eArTJOdeJH
— Newsroom (@MaudhuiHouse) February 17, 2026
Passengers online on Monday morning complained of long waits on the runway of JKIA after boarding flights.
“Two- to three-hour delays because of air traffic control – announced once you’ve boarded… with kids?” one user posted on X.
Other local airports were also affected by the go-slow.
“We’ve been stranded at the Kisumu Airport for hours since morning,” Kenyan senator Boni Khalwale posted on X.
In 2024, workers at JKIA went on strike to protest against the government’s plan to award India’s Adani Group a tender to expand the airport, warning it would cost local jobs and deprive taxpayers of future airport profits.
Kenya later cancelled the partnership with Adani, citing “corruption” after chairman Gautam Adani was indicted in the United States.
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Source: AFP
