Workers at Kenya's main airport on Tuesday ended a strike that caused severe disruptions to local and international flights and air traffic control operations.

Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is one of the busiest air transport hubs in Africa, and the “go-slow” action left thousands of passengers stranded.

In a statement on X, the Airports Authority said the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) agreed to return to work following mediation by the government and other officials.

The KAWU officially announced the cancellation of the strike. No further information has been given about the agreement reached.

The KAWU initiated the industrial action due to unresolved grievances, including the stalled negotiations of an employment agreement.

While the transport ministry said flights at the Nairobi airport would recommence, it was not clear how long it would take for operations to return to normal.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association earlier warned the strike could undermine safety as it would disrupt crew scheduling, "increasing fatigue risk."

In 2024, workers at JKIA went on strike to protest against the government's plan to award India's Adani Group a tender to expand the airport.

They warned the deal would cost local jobs and deprive taxpayers of future airport profits.

Kenya later cancelled the partnership with Adani, citing "corruption" after chairman Gautam Adani was indicted in the United States.

Last week, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) gave notice of a strike, starting on Monday, over unresolved grievances, including an employment agreement that is stalled in negotiations.

KAWU threatened a "total shutdown of Kenyan airspace" if its demands were not met by Monday.

Impact of the strike  

According to Anadolu Agency, hundreds of passengers remained stranded on Tuesday at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, as an aviation workers' strike over working conditions and reforms in the industry entered its second day, disrupting domestic and international flights.

The "go-slow" strike has slowed air traffic operations and caused flight delays for nearly four hours since Monday, keeping passengers in departure halls and forcing airlines to adjust schedules across the country's airspace.

Authorities said the government is working with aviation agencies and unions to restore normal operations.

The Kenya Airline Pilots Association expressed concern over the disruptions, saying the action by members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, including air traffic control personnel, has significantly affected flight operations nationwide.

Etihad cancels Abu Dhabi–Nairobi flights 

Passengers travelling between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi are facing disruption after Etihad Airways confirmed cancellations and delays due to an “unplanned industrial action.”

"Unplanned industrial action has impacted Etihad Airways flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi," the airline said in a travel update.

Several services on February 16 and 17 have been cancelled, while one flight has been delayed.

Source: AFP/AA/Gulf News