Aviation workers in Kenya have ended a strike that disrupted air travel nationwide, following an agreement with government authorities to resume normal operations at the country’s main airports.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed it signed a return-to-work agreement with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) on [Date, if available, otherwise use “recently”], concluding an industrial action by Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff. The strike had significantly impacted flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, a key regional hub.
The breakthrough was achieved after a mediation meeting chaired by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir. Representatives from the Ministry of Labour, KAA, KAWU, and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) participated in the discussions.
The strike commenced after KAWU’s seven-day notice to the KCAA lapsed. Core grievances included stalled negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), concerns over poor working conditions, and the issue of contract conversions for staff. The industrial action forced carriers like Kenya Airways and Jambojet to reschedule and cancel numerous services, leading to widespread delays and passenger inconvenience across the country’s aviation network.
In its statement, KAA indicated that airport operations are now normalising at all its facilities. The authority has advised passengers to verify updated flight schedules directly with their airlines.
This resolution restores critical functionality to Kenya’s aviation sector, which is vital for both domestic connectivity and international trade and tourism. The immediate next step involves the full implementation of the return-to-work formula, allowing ATC services and other airport functions to return to pre-strike capacity. The agreement also paves the way for renewed dialogue on the outstanding labour and operational issues that precipitated the dispute, with the involvement of the relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.
