Kenya’s main airport resumes operations after 2-day strike

Operations at Kenya’s main international airport are returning to normal after workers ended a two-day strike that had severely disrupted air travel across East Africa’s busiest aviation hub.

Workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi agreed to resume their duties following successful negotiations with Kenya’s transport ministry on Tuesday. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that a return-to-work agreement had been reached with the aviation workers’ union, allowing for the immediate resumption of operations.

The labor action had brought the airport to a near standstill on Monday, with travelers facing flight delays stretching up to six hours. Many airlines had been forced to advise passengers to reschedule their travel plans as the strike severely impacted the facility’s ability to process flights.

“Normal operations will resume within the next 24 hours,” Kenya Airways announced in a statement, noting that the national carrier was already working to normalize its flight schedule. The airline, which uses JKIA as its main hub, had been among the hardest hit by the work stoppage.

The strike stemmed from long-standing grievances over working conditions, compensation, and benefits. Workers had issued their strike notice last week after authorities allegedly failed to implement portions of a previously negotiated labor agreement.

Transport Minister Davies Chirchir, who participated in the negotiations, emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining stability in Kenya’s aviation sector, which serves as a critical economic driver for the country and the broader East African region.

“We understand the concerns raised by our aviation workers and are committed to addressing them in a manner that ensures both fair treatment of staff and the continued growth of our aviation industry,” Chirchir said during the announcement of the agreement.

JKIA serves as a crucial transportation nexus for East Africa, handling over 8 million passengers annually and functioning as a gateway for business travelers, tourists, and cargo shipments throughout the region. Any disruption at the facility creates significant ripple effects across regional and international travel networks.

The resolution comes as a relief to Kenya’s tourism sector, which has been working to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism, which accounts for approximately 10 percent of Kenya’s GDP and supports over 1.5 million jobs, relies heavily on efficient air travel infrastructure.

Aviation industry analysts note that the strike highlights the growing labor tensions in Kenya’s transportation sector amid rising inflation and economic challenges. Workers across various industries have been increasingly vocal about demands for better compensation as the cost of living continues to rise.

“This strike at JKIA represents broader economic pressures facing Kenyan workers,” said Jacob Omondi, an economist with the East African Economic Research Institute. “While the immediate crisis has been resolved, the underlying issues of fair compensation in the face of inflation will likely continue to challenge labor relations across multiple sectors.”

Details of the agreement between the union and the transport ministry have not been fully disclosed, but sources close to the negotiations suggest it includes commitments to review pay structures and improve working conditions for airport staff.

For travelers affected by the disruption, airlines are working to accommodate rebookings and minimize further inconvenience as operations gradually return to normal. Airport authorities have advised passengers to continue checking with their airlines regarding potential residual delays as the backlog of flights is cleared.