Kenya’s aviation workers have called off a strike that disrupted flights at the country’s main international airport and other airports, bringing relief to thousands of passengers affected by cancellations and delays.
The industrial action, which began over the weekend and continued into Monday, was largely driven by air traffic controllers and disrupted operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. The disruption also affected regional airports and flights connecting Kenya with destinations across East Africa and beyond.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) announced the end of the strike after reaching a return-to-work agreement with government and aviation authorities. Union Secretary General Moss Ndiema urged workers to resume their duties and begin restoring normal airport services.
“We are simply calling off our strike action,” Ndiema said, while calling on staff to help clear the backlog of flights and restore operations.
Dispute Over Labour Conditions
The strike was linked to several longstanding labour disputes involving aviation authorities and employers. Among the union’s grievances were the failure to conclude a collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, delays in salary reviews, disputes concerning union dues at the Kenya Airports Authority, and allegations concerning the treatment of union members at Jambojet, a Kenya Airways subsidiary.
Kenya’s Transport Minister Davis Chirchir said the agreement provides a framework for addressing outstanding labour issues. He pointed specifically to three collective bargaining agreements that have been suspended since 2015 and said there are now clearer guidelines for resolving the disputes.
Flights Gradually Returning to Normal
Although the strike has ended, passengers may continue to experience delays as airlines and airport authorities work through the backlog created during the disruption.
The industrial action resulted in cancellations and delays affecting flights at JKIA, with the impact extending to airlines and destinations in countries including Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia and Mauritius.
Kenya Airways has also warned passengers to expect further delays while it works to clear disrupted flight schedules. Travellers have been advised to check directly with their airlines for updated departure times before travelling to the airport.
Agreement Brings Temporary Relief
The end of the strike represents an important step toward restoring Kenya’s aviation network, particularly as JKIA serves as a major regional hub connecting East Africa with international destinations.
However, the underlying labour disputes have not been completely resolved. The return-to-work agreement allows negotiations to continue on outstanding issues, meaning further discussions between aviation unions, government authorities and employers are expected.
For passengers, the immediate priority will be the restoration of normal flight schedules and the clearing of accumulated delays and cancellations.
The latest development provides some relief after two days of severe disruption, but attention will now turn to whether the parties can reach lasting agreements on wages, collective bargaining and working conditions to prevent further industrial action in Kenya’s aviation sector.
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