Thousands of passengers faced flight delays and cancellations at Kenya’s main international airport on Monday as airport workers continued a go-slow strike for a second consecutive day.
The industrial action at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi was launched by the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU) over several unresolved employment disputes.
The union said its grievances include delays in reaching a collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, as well as what it described as insufficient cooperation from the Kenya Airports Authority and airline operator Jambojet.
Airport authorities confirmed that some flights were experiencing delays, while the disruption also affected international carriers.
Rwanda’s national airline, RwandAir, announced the cancellation of two flights, citing air traffic control challenges at Nairobi’s airport.
Passengers reported spending hours inside the terminal while waiting for information about their flights.
One traveller said his flight was initially postponed until 1:00 a.m., then delayed again until 4:30 a.m., before he was eventually informed that it had been cancelled. He said the earliest alternative flight available was not until the following night, leaving him stranded at the airport for around 12 hours.
Efforts to resolve the dispute have so far failed.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema said union representatives and government officials held talks on Sunday but were unable to reach an agreement.
Further negotiations are expected to continue, but the union said the industrial action will remain in effect in the meantime.
The continuing disruption is expected to affect more passengers unless an agreement is reached between workers and the relevant authorities.
