Passengers stranded as strike disrupts flights at Kenya's main airport

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Kenya’s main airport as a workers’ strike disrupted flight operations for a second consecutive day. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), a central transport hub in Nairobi, faced ongoing delays after Sunday warnings from the airport authority and Kenya Airways that departing flights might be postponed. A scheduled round of talks between unions and airport management set for Monday collapsed a day earlier without resolution. Aviation employees have launched a nationwide go‑slow action demanding improved working conditions and the implementation of a previously agreed agreement. Travelers hoping to depart have been stuck at JKIA, with some spending the night in and around check‑in areas awaiting updates. Kenya Airways attributed the delays to “the concern enactment by aerial postulation power workers,” stating that disruptions have exceeded six hours and forced the cancellation of certain departures. The carrier apologized and said passengers wishing to change or reschedule their flights may do so without penalty. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 displayed numerous delayed, cancelled, and diverted flights. RwandAir announced on Monday that it had cancelled two flights due to continuing “operational constraints affecting aerial postulation power services” at the airport, following earlier cancellations on Sunday. Mendel Goldman, who was traveling to a wedding in Florida, told Reuters that his flight had been cancelled after several delays. He said he had been waiting for 12 hours. “The earliest formation they tin get america is lone time night, so we’ve got to wait. We’re going to effort and marque astir of it, but successful the meantime, I've been present for 12 hours now, waiting successful the airport,” he added. William Obino, a 22‑year‑old traveler, told AFP: “Nothing is happening, updates are reaching america late. It's ruining our itinerary.” The strike follows a two‑day walkout in February over collective bargaining and the use of volunteers at the airport. Union officials said they initiated the action because outstanding concerns remained unaddressed. JKIA ranks among the busiest aviation hubs in the region, serving as a key gateway between Africa and the rest of the world. According to Kenyan authorities, the airport processed roughly nine million passengers last year. It has experienced multiple strikes in recent years as workers press for better conditions.