Aviation workers’ strike disrupts flights at Nairobi’s JKIA

Aviation workers’ strike action disrupted flight operations and caused extended passenger waiting times at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on August 31, 2026, after workers resumed the industrial action the previous day.

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union initiated the strike, citing unresolved grievances despite previous agreements. The action affected ground handling and air traffic services, leading to delayed flights and uncertainty for travellers using Kenya’s main international airport.

The disruption began on August 30 and intensified on August 31, according to the research summary. Passengers faced longer waits as airport services were affected, although the available information does not give a total number of delayed flights or specify how many travellers were stranded.

The Kenya Airports Authority and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority are among the authorities involved as efforts continue to resolve the situation and restore normal airport operations. No resolution or end time for the strike had been provided in the available information by August 31.

Travellers at JKIA were therefore facing continuing delays and uncertainty as the industrial action remained in effect. The available information did not specify whether individual flights had been cancelled, or provide details of the unresolved grievances cited by the union.