A strike by airport workers disrupted flights on Monday at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya’s main aviation hub, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and forcing airlines to adjust schedules. Kenya Airways issued a travel advisory urging passengers to confirm their flight status before travelling to the airport, citing delays linked to air traffic control and ground operations. The airline warned that both departures and arrivals were affected and that schedules would continue to change. Large crowds of passengers were seen waiting outside the airport, while others remained stuck inside terminals with little information. Some travellers told the Associated Press they had missed onward connections and international plans.
Among them was Canadian tourist Trent Bryski, whose travel to Uganda was cancelled after weeks touring Kenya. He said the disruption left him in a legal limbo after his visa expired, forcing authorities to issue temporary documentation. Another passenger, Linda Chebet, said delays prevented her from accompanying her mother on a domestic flight to Eldoret. The Kenya Airports Authority said contingency measures had been activated to reduce disruption and confirmed talks were ongoing with workers’ representatives. Airport unions issued a strike notice last week after negotiations over pay, benefits and working conditions stalled. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is a key gateway for East Africa, handling millions of passengers annually and serving as a major regional transit point. Prolonged disruptions risk knock-on effects across regional and international travel networks.
