KQ Announces Up to Four-Hour Departure Delays at JKIA

Kenya Airways has announced departure delays of up to four hours at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the airline informed customers that it had adjusted its flight network in response to the disruption.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience and are working closely with relevant aviation authorities and airport stakeholders to minimize the impact on our customers and maintain safe operations,” the airline said.

Meanwhile, pilots have warned of possible fatigue concerns amid ongoing industrial action by airport workers, which may affect crew scheduling and rest periods.

In a statement, the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) emphasized that strict adherence to Flight Duty Period (FDP) limits and mandatory rest requirements is critical for safety.

“These regulatory safeguards exist to mitigate fatigue and ensure that flight operations are conducted within internationally accepted safety parameters. Under no circumstances should operational pressures be allowed to compromise these limits,” said KALPA General Secretary and CEO, Murithi Nyagah.

The disruption follows an industrial action that brought operations at several airports, including JKIA, to a standstill on Monday.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) proceeded with the strike, saying the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority had failed to address its concerns, including a labour dispute.

The strike left passengers stranded at JKIA and Kisumu International Airport, with airlines warning travellers to expect delays.

“While we acknowledge the challenges currently facing the sector, we reiterate that labour matters are best resolved through constructive, good-faith dialogue,” Nyagah added.

“Meaningful engagement among all parties is essential to address outstanding issues and achieve mutually beneficial and sustainable solutions. Approaches that frustrate negotiations or entrench positions only lead to avoidable stalemates and further disruption to the industry and the travelling public.”