Nairobi: Flight delays and cancellations disrupted travel at Kenya’s main international airport on August 31 as airport workers continued strike action for a second day. Thousands of passengers were affected as staff shortages and operational challenges caused delays at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU) said that the strike was driven by several grievances, including the failure to conclude a collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. The union also cited what it described as a lack of cooperation from the Kenya Airports Authority and Jambojet, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways.
The Kenya Airports Authority said on August 30 that some flights were experiencing delays but did not provide details on the reasons. The authority did not respond to a request for comment on August 31. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and Jambojet also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Flight Cancellation Update: WB452/453 | 31 Aug 2026.
Due to ongoing operational constraints affecting air traffic control services at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), flights WB452/WB453 on 31 August 2026 have been cancelled.
We continue to closely monitor and assess… https://t.co/zNPXWNSupR
— RwandAir (@FlyRwandAir) August 31, 2026
RwandAir said it had cancelled two flights because of what it described as air traffic control challenges at Nairobi airport. Passengers reported spending several hours at the airport waiting for updates about their flights, with some being informed of cancellations only after prolonged delays.
KAWU Secretary General Moss Ndiema said that union and government representatives held talks on August 30 but failed to resolve the dispute. Ndiema noted that further negotiations were scheduled to continue from 11am, while the strike action remained in effect.
The continuing industrial action is adding pressure to operations at one of East Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, with travellers being advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information and possible schedule changes.
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