Kenya Airways asks passengers to cancel tickets, offers refund

In a notice on Saturday, the airline apologised to its customers over the stalemate, saying it will provide them a solution at the earliest opportunity. This could be rebooking them on other airlines. 

"In case you choose not to travel, you can request for a refund for the unutilised ticket. You can also contact our Customer Care at Customer.RelationsPkenva-airways.com, the Kenya Airways Sales office or your Travel Agent for further assistance," KQ further stated. 

On Sunday morning, passengers were seen queuing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) where the airport staff booked them into hotels.

A passenger at JKIA also told Citizen Digital that the airline has advised them to book other flight tickets due to the cancellation.

“I was scheduled to travel to Cape Town. I have been informed that the flight is cancelled and the airline is advising us to look for alternative flights,” said Mr Muhanda.

“I have booked my flight on a different airline, which is inconveniencing because I will have to travel tomorrow,” he added.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has called on the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) to call off the strike and return to the negotiating table. 

He said the pilot strike that kicked off on Saturday, November 5 has seen over 15 flights cancelled and nearly10,000 passengers stranded.

On Saturday afternoon, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) also asked its members to down their tools.

Secretary General Moss Ndiema said a court order issued on August 15, 2022 had given KAWU workers the go ahead to go on strike following a stalemate as regards the failure to implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).