Kenya Airways has reported flight delays of more than six hours and the cancellation of some flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) following an industrial action by air traffic control workers.
The national carrier said the disruption had created a significant backlog of flights, forcing it to reschedule and cancel some services as it worked to restore normal operations.
In a notice to passengers, Kenya Airways said its teams were working round the clock to manage the disruption and proactively reschedule affected flights.
“This is a further update regarding the ongoing flight disruption out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) following the industrial action by Air Traffic Control (ATC) workers. We are experiencing delays of more than six hours, and due to the flight backlog, we have had to reschedule and cancel some flights,” the airline said.
Kenya Airways said it would continue monitoring the situation and adjusting its operations as conditions evolve.
The disruption has also severely affected Jambojet, which reported that only two of the 55 flights scheduled for Monday had operated by 11:30am.
The airline said five of its aircraft were undergoing clearance when it issued the update, as the ongoing industrial action continued to affect operations at major airports.
“Our teams remain fully operational and are available to assist and support guests during this period,” Jambojet said.
The airline said it was working to assist passengers affected by the delays as airport operations remained disrupted.
The industrial action has left hundreds of passengers stranded at JKIA and other airports since Sunday.
Some travellers scheduled to depart through JKIA spent the night at airport terminals while waiting for information from their airlines.
Others were transferred to hotels as airlines sought alternative arrangements, while some passengers opted to cancel their journeys.
The strike began at about 2am on Sunday and has affected JKIA and other major airports across the country.
Several travellers reported lengthy delays, with some flights remaining grounded for hours.
By Monday morning, airlines had started arranging hotel accommodation for passengers who were unable to travel because of the disruption.
The industrial action involves members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), who declared a go-slow at several airports.
The workers are demanding improved welfare, better working conditions and the implementation of previously agreed employment benefits.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema said union members had downed their tools at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet.
He said the workers would not resume normal operations until their grievances against the three institutions were addressed.
The strike followed the collapse of a framework agreement signed on July 27 after Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir brought together the union and four employers named in an earlier strike notice.
The agreement established a timetable for individual employers to negotiate directly with KAWU.
However, several meetings involving the workers, their employers and the Ministry of Transport failed to resolve the outstanding issues.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has also confirmed that some departing flights were experiencing delays at airports across the country.
The authority said it was working closely with aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to manage the disruption and minimise its impact on passengers.
“KAA is 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,” the authority said.
KAA advised passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest information on their flight status and to plan their journeys accordingly.
“Passengers are advised to contact their respective Airlines for the latest information on their flight status and to plan their journeys accordingly,” the authority said.
KAA apologised to passengers and other airport users for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and thanked them for their patience as efforts continued to restore normal airport operations.
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