Thousands of passengers faced long delays and cancellations at Kenya’s main international airport on Monday as a workers’ go-slow continued into its second day.
The action at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is being led by the Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union.
The union says the dispute covers several issues, including the failure to finish a long-term pay and conditions deal with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, and a lack of progress with the Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Airways’ low-cost airline Jambojet.
The strike began on Sunday and has slowed operations at JKIA and other airports across the country. Hundreds of travellers spent the night in airport terminals waiting for updates.
Some airlines arranged hotel rooms for stranded passengers. Kenya Airways reported average delays of two to three hours on Sunday, with only about 30 percent of its scheduled flights departing by mid-afternoon.
Rwanda’s national airline RwandAir cancelled two flights, blaming air traffic control problems in Nairobi. Passengers described hours of waiting with little information.
One traveller, Rabbi Mendel Goldman, who was heading to a wedding in Florida, said his flight was delayed twice before being cancelled. He had already spent 12 hours at the airport by Monday morning and was told the next available seat was not until the following night.
Union secretary general Moss Ndiema said talks with government officials on Sunday failed to resolve the issues.
He confirmed further meetings were planned for Monday from 11 a.m., but the industrial action would continue in the meantime.
The Kenya Airports Authority acknowledged delays on Sunday without explaining the cause and did not respond to questions on Monday. The Civil Aviation Authority and Jambojet also did not comment.
Fresh produce exporters have warned that continued disruption could harm Kenya’s reputation for reliable shipments of flowers, fruit, vegetables, and other perishable goods.
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