Thousands Stranded as Kenya Aviation Strike Triggers Flight Cancellations

Kenya’s aviation workers’ strike has entered its second day, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in Kenya and abroad as flights face delays, cancellations and rescheduling.

At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), delays of more than six hours have become common, forcing airlines to cancel or reschedule flights. Kenya Airways has confirmed widespread disruption, while international airlines have struggled to clear the growing backlog. Some passengers have spent days waiting for flights, with limited information from airline staff.

One traveller has spent nearly three days at JKIA after his original flight was cancelled. He bought a new ticket with Turkish Airlines, but that flight was also cancelled without explanation. His luggage has been missing since Saturday, and he estimates that he has spent nearly Ksh300,000 (£1,800) on hotels, meals and new bookings. He said none of these costs had been reimbursed.

Other passengers have reported spending long hours at the airport without adequate food or water. The lack of clear information has left many uncertain about when they will be able to travel.

The disruption has also affected passengers outside Kenya. Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera said he was stranded in Dubai after his flight to Nairobi was cancelled. He said the disruption was affecting the economy through stranded tourists, delayed cargo and interrupted business operations.

“JKIA is too important to our economy and the country’s leadership must step in and resolve this urgently,” Nyakera said.

Airlines have advised passengers not to travel to airports unless they have confirmed bookings because of the growing backlog. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has issued a similar advisory, saying disruptions to air traffic control services continue to affect operations across the country.

“Passengers are therefore strongly advised to contact their respective airlines and confirm the status of their flights in advance before travelling to the airport,” KAA said.

The strike has disrupted passenger and cargo operations at JKIA, one of Kenya’s main international transport hubs.