JKIA: Aviation Workers Stage Strike, Flight Disruptions Reported
Flights into and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport encountered delays on Monday, February 16, following the start of the Kenya Airport Workers’ go-slow.
Several airlines and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed the disruptions, stating that operational delays at air traffic control had an impact on certain departures and arrivals at JKIA.
“The Kenya Airport Authority informs the public of delays affecting departing flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport due to the ongoing labour dispute between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority,” KAA said in a statement.
Flight delays hit JKIA following a go slow by staff#NewsDesk@nduokoh pic.twitter.com/vzSSz24rlb
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) February 16, 2026
In a warning to customers, the national airline stated that the interruptions are in response to a KCAA statement outlining measures to maintain aviation safety and service continuity.
Travel Advisory: Flight Disruptions Out Of JKIA pic.twitter.com/cUGoYju4aH
— Official Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) February 16, 2026
KAA also stated that contingency procedures had been established to manage the situation and avoid disturbance to passengers.
As a result, passengers have been urged to anticipate potential schedule changes.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the authority reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety and operational excellence at all of its airports.
Aside from KAA, several airlines issued travel advisories informing passengers that their flights could be delayed or rescheduled as a result of the conflict.
“We are currently experiencing air traffic control operational delays at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), affecting certain departures and arrivals,” read a statement from one of the airlines operating at the airport.
“Passengers are advised to expect possible schedule adjustments, including delays.”
Travel Advisory: Flight Disruptions Out Of JKIA pic.twitter.com/mMKE7NwCio
— FlyJambojet (@FlyJambojet) February 16, 2026
KAWU declared a strike on Monday, February 9, to protest stalled collective bargaining agreement (CBA) discussions, late remittance of union dues, and alleged discrimination against contract workers.
The union accused KCAA management of refusing to negotiate and failing to follow long-standing agreements dating back to 2015, despite several engagements.
However, on Friday, February 13, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) temporarily halted the scheduled walkout.
They issued interim orders preventing any industrial action that could disrupt operations until the case was heard and determined.
Despite the court order, KAWU maintained that it would take industrial action at JKIA, arguing that workers’ salaries had not been paid for years and that they could no longer cope with the cost of living.
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On Saturday, February 14, KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema announced that the union would organise workers at the biggest aviation hub in the area for industrial action.
The union warned that unless management recognises grade four and five employees as eligible for union representation and concludes a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) within one week after Monday, the union will unveil a strike timetable.
Ndiema warned, “So to anybody and everybody who cares, we are going to have a tumultuous week.
“I just want to ask you to prepare; it could be today, it could be tomorrow, it could be the day after, it could have been yesterday, maybe; just prepare.”
JKIA: Aviation Workers Stage Strike, Flight Disruptions Reported
