Aviation employees in Kenya have suspended a nationwide industrial action that caused major interruptions to air travel at Nairobi’s main airport and several other facilities across the country.
The workers’ union reached an understanding with the government on Tuesday, ending the walkout and directing employees to return to their posts immediately.
The agreement followed negotiations over outstanding salary-related concerns, workplace conditions and other unresolved demands.
The action had affected operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), leaving large numbers of travellers stranded since Sunday.
The facility is one of East Africa’s principal aviation gateways.
Union leader Moss Ndiema said members had been instructed to gradually restore normal services and deal with the backlog of flights.
He urged employees already at their duty stations to begin processing and clearing affected flights as operations resumed.
Transport Minister Davis Chirchir confirmed that the government and the union had reached an agreement on measures to address the issues behind the industrial action.
He acknowledged the significant economic consequences of the disruption, although the authorities had yet to determine the overall financial cost.
The strike created widespread chaos on Monday, with passengers forced to wait for extended periods inside and around airport terminals.
Some travellers reportedly spent the night at the facility after being unable to establish when their flights would depart.
Kenya Airways reported delays exceeding six hours and cancelled a number of services as the accumulation of disrupted flights overwhelmed its schedule.
The national carrier apologised to affected customers and allowed passengers wishing to alter their travel arrangements to rebook or postpone their journeys without additional charges.
Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 recorded numerous services that were delayed, cancelled or redirected during the disruption.
Among those affected was Mendel Goldman, who was travelling to Florida for a wedding.
He told Reuters that his flight was cancelled following repeated postponements and that he had spent about 12 hours waiting at the airport.
Another traveller, 22-year-old William Obino, told AFP that passengers were receiving information slowly, making it difficult to plan their journeys.
The latest industrial action followed an earlier two-day confrontation in February involving disagreements over collective bargaining arrangements and the deployment of volunteers at the airport.
Union representatives said they proceeded with the strike because several matters raised during the earlier dispute had not been satisfactorily addressed.
JKIA remains one of the region’s busiest aviation centres and an important link between Kenya, other African countries and destinations across the globe.
Kenyan authorities say the airport processed approximately nine million passengers last year.
The facility has experienced several labour disputes in recent years, with aviation employees repeatedly calling for improved employment conditions and the implementation of agreements reached with authorities.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong