Flights and Airport Operations Resume as Aviation Workers End Strike

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has called off its strike, which disrupted flight operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other airports across the country.

This comes after the government apologised to passengers, airlines and businesses following serious disruptions to operations at JKIA.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 31, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi acknowledged the significant impact of the disruption on passengers, airlines, businesses and Kenya’s international connectivity.

“The Government is actively engaged with all the parties involved, and discussions are ongoing towards addressing the issues at hand,” Mudavadi said.

He added that the government’s immediate priority was to facilitate the safe and orderly restoration of normal airport operations while pursuing a lasting solution to the issues under discussion.

Government Moves to Restore Normal JKIA Operations

Meanwhile, Mudavadi urged travellers affected by the disruption to remain patient and continue liaising with their respective airlines for updates on flights and travel arrangements.

“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to passengers whose journeys have been disrupted,” he said.

Additionally, the government described JKIA as a critical national gateway and an important hub for Kenya’s trade, tourism, investment, diplomacy and regional connectivity.

It said it was therefore treating the matter with the urgency and seriousness it requires.

“We assure the public, the aviation industry and our international partners that the Government remains fully seized of the matter and will continue engaging all relevant stakeholders in good faith,” Mudavadi added.

The government said it would provide a further update as discussions progress.

Also Read: Flight Chaos at JKIA as Air Traffic Control Strike Enters Another Day

Aviation Workers Strike Disrupts Airport Operations

Meanwhile, the disruption comes as aviation workers continue a strike that began on Sunday, August 30, affecting operations at JKIA and other airports across the country.

Members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) downed their tools at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet after talks aimed at resolving their grievances failed to produce an agreement.

Consequently, by Monday, the industrial action had entered its second day, leaving passengers stranded and causing delays and cancellations.

Some travellers spent the night at JKIA as they waited for updates on their flights, while airlines started making arrangements to transfer affected passengers to hotels.

At the same time, KAA said the disruption to Air Traffic Control services had affected flights at JKIA, with some services experiencing delays and cancellations.

The authority urged passengers to contact their respective airlines and confirm their flight status before travelling to the airport.

Also Read: Scare at JKIA as Jambojet Flight Was Forced to Abort Takeoff

July Agreement Collapses as Workers Resume Strike

The latest strike followed the collapse of a framework agreement signed on July 27, after Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir brought together KAWU and employers named in an earlier strike notice.

The agreement had established a timetable for direct negotiations between the union and the affected organisations.

However, KAWU said some of the issues raised by its members remained unresolved, prompting workers to resume industrial action.

As a result, the strike has affected thousands of travellers, with Kenya Airways reporting major delays, while other airlines have also adjusted their schedules due to the disruption.

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Stranded travellers wait with their luggage after their flight operations were disrupted due to a strike by aviation workers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on August 30, 2026. PHOTO/REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi