Passengers travelling through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have been warned to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport as aviation workers’ industrial action continues to disrupt operations.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) issued a fresh update on Monday, August 31, saying disruption to air traffic control services was continuing to affect flight operations at JKIA.

The authority said some flights were experiencing delays and cancellations, with the industrial action entering its second day.

KAA Tells Passengers to Check With Airlines

KAA has advised travellers with scheduled flights to contact their respective airlines before making their way to the airport.

The warning is aimed at passengers who may otherwise arrive at JKIA only to find that their flights have been delayed, cancelled or rescheduled.

The authority said it was working with airlines and other aviation stakeholders to reduce the effects of the disruption and maintain safe and orderly airport operations.

KAA also apologised to passengers affected by the disruption and asked travellers to remain in contact with their airlines for further updates.

Strike Continues Into Monday

The industrial action began on Sunday, August 30, as aviation workers under the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) began a go-slow and work stoppage that affected airport operations.

The union has cited unresolved employment-related grievances, including concerns over working conditions and previously agreed terms. Reuters reported that talks involving government officials on Sunday did not resolve the dispute, with negotiations expected to continue on Monday.

The disruption has affected thousands of travellers, with some passengers experiencing lengthy waits at JKIA.

Kenya Airways Reports Delays of More Than Six Hours

The disruption has also affected Kenya Airways operations.

The national carrier said on Monday that the industrial action had created a flight backlog, resulting in delays of more than six hours on some services.

Kenya Airways said some flights had been rescheduled or cancelled and advised passengers to travel to the airport only after confirming their flight status.

The airline also said passengers who need to reschedule their flights could do so without penalties, according to its customer update.

Jambojet Operations Also Affected

Jambojet has reported significant disruption to its schedule.

As of 11:30 a.m. on Monday, the airline said it had operated two of 55 scheduled flights for the day, with other flights awaiting the necessary clearance.

The airline said its teams remained available to assist passengers while working to resume normal operations.

Passengers Left Waiting at JKIA

The disruption has resulted in crowded terminals and prolonged waits for some travellers.

Reuters reported that passengers had experienced lengthy delays and cancellations, with some travellers spending more than 12 hours dealing with disrupted journeys.

The strike has also affected other airport operations, adding to the backlog as airlines attempt to manage delayed and rescheduled services.

What Passengers Should Do

KAA's current advice is straightforward: check with your airline before travelling to JKIA.

Passengers should confirm:

• Whether their flight is operating

• Whether its departure time has changed

• Whether the flight has been cancelled

• Whether they have been rebooked

• Any new instructions from their airline

Travellers should also keep their contact details updated with their airlines so they can receive operational notifications.

Why the Disruption Is Happening

KAWU members have raised a number of grievances concerning employment conditions and the implementation of agreements previously reached with authorities.

Reuters reported that the union has cited a stalled collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, as well as concerns about cooperation with KAA and airline Jambojet.

The latest industrial action follows an earlier dispute that had also caused significant disruption at Kenya's main airport.

Government representatives and union officials are continuing discussions as efforts are made to resolve the dispute.

KAA: Safety Remains the Priority

Despite the disruption, KAA said the safety and security of passengers, airport users and the wider aviation community remained its priority.

The authority said it would continue working with airlines and other aviation stakeholders to minimise the operational impact while the situation is addressed.

For travellers scheduled to fly through JKIA, however, the immediate message remains the same: do not assume your flight is operating normally. Confirm directly with your airline before leaving for the airport.

Current Situation at a Glance

The situation remains fluid, and flight schedules may change as negotiations and operational efforts continue.

Passengers are advised to rely on their airlines for the latest information about individual flights.