Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport experienced significant flight disruptions as a workers’ strike entered its second day, impacting thousands of passengers. The industrial action by the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (Kawu) has caused delays and cancellations across the airport’s operations.

The strike, which began on Saturday, stems from unresolved issues including delays in finalizing a collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and what union representatives describe as a lack of cooperation from both the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways. Kawu Secretary General Moss Ndiema confirmed that talks had continued on Sunday between union officials and government representatives, but no resolution had yet been reached, and the strike remained ongoing.

KAA acknowledged on Sunday that some flights were delayed but did not provide details regarding the cause of the disruptions. Both KCAA and Jambojet declined to comment on the situation when approached.

The strike’s impact extended beyond Kenyan carriers. RwandAir announced on its social media platform that it had to cancel two flights departing from Nairobi, attributing the cancellations to air traffic control challenges linked to the ongoing labor action.

Passengers at the airport described extended wait times and uncertainty. One traveller, rabbi Mendel Goldman, recounted being at the airport for 12 hours after his flight to Florida was delayed multiple times before ultimately being cancelled. He said the earliest alternative flight was only available late Monday evening, forcing a prolonged stay at the airport.

The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union indicated that negotiations are continuing despite the ongoing industrial action, underscoring that discussions between the union and authorities will persist in an attempt to resolve the dispute. Meanwhile, travelers are advised to expect continued delays in the coming days until the matter is settled.