Hundreds of travellers have been left stranded at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with widespread flight interruptions entering a second day as aviation employees continue industrial action.
The airport, one of East Africa’s major aviation centres, has experienced significant delays and cancellations since the nationwide work slowdown began.
The Kenya Airports Authority and national carrier Kenya Airways cautioned passengers on Sunday that outbound services could face delays, while another attempt to resolve the dispute between employee representatives and airport management was scheduled for Monday.
Earlier negotiations ended without a settlement, with workers demanding improved employment conditions and the enforcement of an agreement previously reached with management.
Passengers at JKIA reported spending hours, and in some cases the entire night, around departure halls as they waited for information about their journeys.
Kenya Airways said air traffic control staff participating in the industrial action had contributed to delays exceeding six hours.
The resulting accumulation of affected services had also compelled the airline to scrap some flights.
The carrier expressed regret to customers and said travellers wishing to alter their bookings could rebook or move their travel dates without incurring additional charges.
Flight-monitoring platform Flightradar24 recorded numerous services arriving late, being called off or redirected to alternative airports.
RwandAir also announced on Monday that two of its services had been withdrawn because of continuing operational difficulties involving air traffic control at JKIA.
The airline had already cancelled flights on Sunday.
Among those affected was Mendel Goldman, who was travelling to Florida for a wedding.
Speaking to Reuters, he said his service was called off after repeated delays and that he had spent about 12 hours waiting at the airport.
He said the earliest alternative journey offered to him was the following night.
Another passenger, 22-year-old William Obino, told AFP that information from airport officials was arriving slowly, leaving travellers frustrated and disrupting their plans.
The current industrial action follows a two-day confrontation in February involving disagreements over collective negotiations and the deployment of volunteers at the airport.
Union leaders said unresolved grievances had left them with little choice but to resume industrial action.
JKIA is among the region’s busiest airports and provides an important connection between African destinations and international markets.
Kenyan officials estimate that the facility processed approximately nine million passengers last year.
The airport has experienced several labour disputes in recent years as aviation personnel have continued to press for improved workplace conditions.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong