Flight disruptions continued at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday as an ongoing strike by air traffic control workers caused delays and cancellations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said disruption to Air Traffic Control (ATC) services was still affecting flight operations at the country’s main international gateway.
The authority warned that passengers should expect delays and cancellations as the industrial action continued.
“As a result, flights are experiencing delays and cancellations,” KAA said in a statement issued on Monday.
“Passengers are therefore strongly advised to contact their respective airlines and confirm the status of their flights in advance before travelling to the airport.”
Kenya Airways said some passengers were facing delays of more than six hours as the disruption created a significant backlog of flights at JKIA.
The national carrier said it had been forced to reschedule and cancel some flights while working to clear the backlog and restore normal operations.
“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,” Kenya Airways said.
The airline said its teams were working round the clock to manage the situation and proactively reschedule affected flights.
Kenya Airways said it would continue monitoring the situation and adjusting its operations depending on how the disruption evolves.
Jambojet has also been severely affected by the disruption.
The airline reported that only two of the 55 flights it had scheduled for Monday had operated by 11:30am.
Five of its aircraft were still undergoing clearance when the airline issued its update.
“Our teams remain fully operational and are available to assist and support guests during this period,” Jambojet said.
Other airlines, including international carriers operating through JKIA, have also reported delays as the disruption affects flight schedules.
Airlines have been working to assist passengers whose journeys have been disrupted, including arranging alternative accommodation where necessary.
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 made 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 have reported lengthy delays, with some flights remaining on the ground 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 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.
KAA said it was working closely with aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to manage the disruption and minimise its impact on travellers.
“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.
The authority urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest information on their flight status and to plan their journeys accordingly.
KAA also apologised to passengers and other airport users for the inconvenience caused by the disruption.
The ongoing strike has put significant pressure on airlines and airport operators, with passengers facing uncertainty over departure times as efforts continue to resolve the dispute and restore normal air traffic control services.
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