Operations at Kenya’s busiest airport slowed to a crawl on Monday after staff downed tools in a dispute over pay and working conditions, throwing travel plans into disarray.
The industrial action disrupted activity at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, where departures and arrivals were affected by air traffic control delays. Kenya Airways responded with a public advisory, asking travellers to confirm their flight status before making their way to the airport and warning that schedules would be revised.
“Passengers are advised not to proceed to the airport without a confirmed flight status,” the airline said.
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Outside the terminals, large crowds gathered as flights stalled. Thousands of stranded travelers sat with luggage in hand, uncertain about when they would depart. Some families told The Associated Press that relatives remained stuck inside the airport buildings.
One passenger, who asked not to be identified, said they had been “waiting at the airport for six hours,” hoping to finally board a plane.
Among those caught in the disruption was Canadian traveler Trent Bryski, who said officials had offered little clarity even as his visa expired during the delay.
“Actually we are not supposed to be out here because our visa says we have left, so they gave us a special letter, and we don’t know when we are leaving again,” he said.
The Kenya Airports Authority said it had activated contingency plans to limit the impact of the strike and maintained that it was open to dialogue in a bid to resolve the standoff.
Unionized airport workers issued a strike notice last week, accusing authorities of failing to honor parts of a previous agreement that included improved labor terms and enhanced pay and benefits.
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Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serves as a key gateway for both regional and long haul travel, making the disruption significant for passengers across east Africa and beyond.
