Monday’s strike by employees at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport plunged Nairobi’s skies into disarray, delaying countless flights and amplifying passenger woes at East Africa’s aviation powerhouse. The action stems from protracted negotiations gone sour.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union, fed up with unheeded demands under a lingering 2015 CBA, mobilized despite a week-old notice and KCAA’s legal intervention attempts. Air traffic snags ensued, bottlenecking the airport’s relentless flow of people and freight.
Kenya Airways and others pivoted to digital advisories, stressing real-time checks to navigate the upheaval. As a nexus for millions yearly, the facility’s partial shutdown reverberated widely.
Contingency activations were immediate, per the Kenya Airports Authority. Passengers received clear guidance: consult airlines for status amid ongoing tweaks.
KCAA’s Emil Arao outlined the turnaround: ‘Phased ops resumption based on priority, steadily clearing queues. Normalcy is imminent.’ Safety remains paramount, with calls for verified itineraries and extra hours en route.
This flare-up lays bare chronic labor frictions threatening operational resilience. Resolution demands prompt dialogue to fortify this cornerstone of Kenya’s global links against repeat disruptions.