Flight disruptions continue at JKIA as aviation workers strike bites

The workers, under the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), have gone on strike after a labour dispute with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

As of Tuesday morning, the main airport in Nairobi continues to witness disrupted schedules. 

Kenyan airline Jambojet alerted its customers to expect flight disruptions due to the industrial action by KAWU. 

In a statement on Tuesday morning, Jambojet said the disruptions had affected air traffic control at JKIA as the airline also continued to resolve the backlog from Monday, when the strike began. 

“The situation remains fluid, and we are closely monitoring developments in coordination with the relevant airport authorities. Kindly do not proceed to the airport for your scheduled flight until you receive a further update from us regarding your flight status,” said Jambojet. 

The national carrier, Kenya airways also alerted its customers of the delays, urging them to contact the airline before heading to the airport. 

The situation at JKIA has raised concerns from the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA), who say the disruptions could raise safety concerns. 

KALPA said the industrial action has led to significant operational interruptions, resulting in flight delays, diversions and cancellations that have inconvenienced passengers and stakeholders within the aviation sector.

The pilots' body cautioned that prolonged operational challenges could adversely affect crew scheduling and rest periods, potentially increasing the risk of fatigue among flight crews.

“Aviation safety is non-negotiable,” the association stated, insisting on the need for strict adherence to established Flight Duty Period (FDP) limitations and mandatory rest requirements.

On Monday, Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, also informed its passengers of flight disruptions as a result of the strike. 

Further analysis by Citizen Digital showed a number of flights were delayed or cancelled in the early morning on Tuesday. Information from Flight Radar, a flight tracking platform, showed the delays and cancellations of flights by multiple airlines. 

A separate flight tracking platform, FlightStats, showed that there were “moderate and increasing” delays at Nairobi’s main airport. 

On Monday night, the Kenya Airports Authority said it was working closely with KCAA, airlines and other stakeholders to restore normalcy at the airport. 

“Passengers are advised to remain in contact with their respective airlines for the latest flight schedules, rebooking, or any further assistance,” KAA said.