The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has terminated their strike that commenced on Monday, which had disrupted operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The industrial action was suspended following negotiations with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and the Ministry of Transport.
According to KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema, successful consultations were held with relevant stakeholders, leading to an agreement on a return-to-work formula.
Ndiema stated, “We are pleased with the successful consultation and engagement. Consequently, KAWU wishes to call off the strike action based on the agreed terms for the return-to-work formula.”
He explained, “We categorized the grievances into two groups. Those that can be addressed almost immediately include expanding union representation at the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to include employees in grades 4 and 5. Other matters involving KCAA and KAA will require additional time.”
Despite the strike being called off, as of Tuesday morning, the main airport in Nairobi continued to experience disruptions due to the ongoing strike.
Jambojet reported that the disruptions had affected air traffic control at JKIA, as the airline worked to resolve the backlog accumulated since Monday when the strike began.
“The situation remains dynamic, and we are closely monitoring developments in coordination with the relevant airport authorities. Please do not go to the airport for your scheduled flight until you receive further updates from us regarding your flight status,” advised Jambojet.
Kenya Airways, the national carrier, also notified its customers about the delays, suggesting they contact the airline before traveling to the airport.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) expressed concerns about the situation at JKIA, noting that the industrial action had caused significant operational interruptions.
KALPA reported that the strike resulted in flight delays, diversions, and cancellations, which have inconvenienced passengers and stakeholders within the aviation sector.
Analysis by Citizen Digital indicated that multiple flights experienced delays or cancellations during the early morning hours on Tuesday.