Hundreds of passengers were stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya's main international gateway, as flight disruptions continued into a second day due to a workers' strike. The industrial action has led to significant delays and flight cancellations, impacting both the national carrier, Kenya Airways, and other airlines.
Kenya Airways reported delays exceeding six hours and has canceled some departures due to the strike by air traffic control workers. The airline has offered passengers the option to change or reschedule flights without penalty. Flight tracking data showed numerous delayed, canceled, and diverted flights from the airport.
RwandAir also confirmed the cancellation of two flights on Monday, citing operational constraints affecting air traffic control services at JKIA. These cancellations followed similar disruptions on Sunday.
Passengers described prolonged waits and uncertainty. Mendel Goldman, who was en route to a wedding in Florida, reported his flight was canceled after several delays, leaving him waiting for over 12 hours with the earliest available flight not until the following night. Another traveler, William Obino, expressed frustration over the lack of timely updates and the disruption to travel plans.
The strike is part of a nationwide go-slow by aviation sector workers demanding better working conditions and the implementation of a previously agreed-upon deal. Talks between union representatives and airport management on Monday did not result in an agreement, with discussions breaking down the previous day.
JKIA is a critical regional transport hub, handling approximately nine million passengers annually, and serves as a major gateway between Africa and the rest of the world. The airport has experienced multiple strikes in recent years as workers advocate for improved conditions.