Flights at Kenya’s busiest airport are expected to return to full capacity after workers suspended a two-day industrial action on Tuesday, ending disruptions that had snarled travel since the start of the week.
The breakthrough followed negotiations between union leaders and the Transport Ministry, culminating in a return-to-work agreement that took effect immediately, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.
The strike had brought activity at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to a near standstill on Monday. Departures and arrivals were delayed by as much as six hours, prompting airlines to advise passengers to reschedule their journeys.
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Union officials had pushed for improved working conditions, higher pay and better benefits, according to AP’s report. Talks over how those demands would be addressed were held Tuesday before workers agreed to resume duties.
Kenya Airways said it had begun adjusting its flight timetable and was working to clear the backlog, assuring passengers that “normal operations will resume within the next 24 hours.”
The industrial action had been signaled last week after authorities failed to implement parts of a prior deal covering labor conditions and compensation.
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Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serves as a critical gateway for both regional and long-haul traffic, making the disruption particularly significant. Transport Minister Davies Chirchir reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining stability within the aviation sector as services ramp back up.
