Kenya's aviation workers' strike entered its second day on Monday, disrupting flight operations at major airports and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded as a dispute over employment conditions and previously agreed commitments escalated.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) resumed industrial action on Sunday, August 30, after suspending an earlier strike following a government-brokered agreement in July.
The union says the agreement required aviation employers to engage directly with workers and resolve outstanding grievances, but negotiations failed to produce a settlement.
Workers at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Jambojet are participating in the latest action.
The dispute has affected airport operations, with passengers reporting lengthy delays and uncertainty over departures at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya's main aviation hub.
An exclusive Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by KCAA at 4:50 am on Monday, seen by Radio Generation, warned that traffic to and from the Nairobi Flight Information Region, including major airports, would be subject to delays because of the industrial action.
“TFC TO AND FM NAIROBI FIR INCLUDING ALL MAJOR AIRPORTS SUBJ TO DLA DUE TO GO SLOW BY STAFF ON INDUSTRIAL ACTION,” the notice stated.
The NOTAM is valid until 7 pm on Monday, August 31, although it indicates an estimated end time rather than a guarantee that operations will return to normal.
It covers both instrument and visual flight traffic and extends across the Nairobi Flight Information Region.
The disruption has been particularly visible at JKIA, where hundreds of travellers remained stranded on Monday after spending the night at the airport.
Some airlines were arranging hotel accommodation for affected passengers as they worked to manage delayed and rescheduled flights.
The union's latest action follows a dispute that has been building for months.
KAWU had issued a strike notice in July covering KCAA, KAA, Kenya Airways and Jambojet.
The planned action was suspended on July 27 after talks brokered by the Ministry of Transport produced a framework agreement requiring individual employers to negotiate outstanding issues with the union.
KAWU says Kenya Airways continued engaging with the union, while KAA, KCAA and Jambojet failed to make sufficient progress.
The grievances include disputes over collective bargaining agreements, salary adjustments, prolonged contracts, job security, career progression and other employment conditions. At KCAA, the union has also raised concerns over salary increments and alleged arrears dating back to 2015.
KAA has acknowledged the disruption, saying some departing flights were experiencing delays across the country's airports.
The authority has urged passengers to confirm their flight status with airlines before travelling and said it was working with aviation agencies, carriers and other stakeholders to minimise the impact.
Kenya Airways has also reported delays linked to operational constraints within air traffic control services.
In an update issued on Sunday, the airline said its scheduled flights had departed by 5 pm but were operating with average delays of between two and three hours.
The airline's financial position adds to the pressure facing the sector.
Kenya Airways reported a pre-tax loss of Sh15.92 billion for the first half of 2026, compared with Sh12.17 billion during the same period in 2025. Fuel costs increased by 72%, accounting for about half of the carrier's total expenses, while the airline is also dealing with maintenance and spare-parts challenges.
The latest strike is also the second major aviation labour disruption in 2026. A previous two-day strike in February caused flight delays and cancellations at JKIA before workers called off the action.
The renewed industrial action therefore threatens to compound operational and financial pressures on airlines while disrupting passengers, tourism and time-sensitive cargo movement.
For now, the KCAA NOTAM remains active until 7 pm Monday, meaning passengers travelling through Nairobi and other major airports face the possibility of further delays.
Travellers have been advised to check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport.