Stranded Passengers Face Delays as Strike Disrupts Kenya's Major Airport Operations

**Nairobi, Kenya** – hundreds of travelers faced unforeseen delays and cancellations as a workers' strike disrupted operations at Kenya's key airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), in the capital, Nairobi. The strike, which began on Sunday, has caused widespread disruptions to flight schedules, leaving many passengers stranded and frustrated.

JKIA, a vital regional transportation hub, has been under immense pressure as a result of the industrial action. Both the airport authority and Kenya Airways, the national carrier, had issued warnings on Sunday about potential delays to departing flights. Despite a scheduled round of talks between the unions and airport management on Monday, discussions ended without any resolution, leading to the continuation of the strike.

The aviation sector workers are on a nationwide go-slow strike to demand improved working conditions and the implementation of a previously agreed deal. Passengers hoping to board flights have found themselves in limbo at JKIA, with some forced to spend the night in the airport's check-in areas, waiting for updates on their flights.

Kenya Airways reported that the industrial action by air traffic control workers had caused delays of over six hours, resulting in a backlog of flights that necessitated the cancellation of some departures. The airline has apologized for the inconvenience and offered passengers the option to change or reschedule their flights without penalty.

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 illustrated the scale of the disruption, showing numerous delayed, cancelled, or diverted flights. RwandAir also confirmed that it had cancelled two flights on Monday due to ongoing "operational constraints affecting air traffic control services" at the airport, following earlier cancellations on Sunday.

Mendel Goldman, a traveler heading to a wedding in Florida, described his experience to Reuters, explaining that his flight had been cancelled after several delays. "The earliest flight they can get us is only tomorrow night, so we've got to wait," he said, adding that he had been waiting for 12 hours.

William Obino, a 22-year-old traveler, echoed these sentiments to the AFP news agency, stating, "Nothing is happening, updates are reaching us late. It's ruining our itinerary."

The current strike follows a two-day dispute in February over collective bargaining and the use of volunteers at the airport. Union officials explained that the industrial action was taken due to unresolved concerns. The strike comes at a time when the main airport in Nairobi, one of the busiest hubs in the region, serves as a crucial gateway between Africa and the rest of the world. Last year, it handled approximately nine million passengers, according to Kenyan authorities.

Despite its importance, the airport has faced multiple strikes in recent years as workers have pushed for better working conditions. The ongoing strike has highlighted the challenges faced by the aviation industry in Kenya and the impact that labor disputes can have on international travel.