Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Kenya Airport Workers' Strike Leaves Hundreds of Passengers Stranded
Workers at Kenya's main airport are on strike.
The strike continued for a second day on Monday.
Many travelers were stuck at the airport overnight.
Some flights were cancelled, and others were delayed.
The workers want a new agreement about their jobs and working conditions.
They also do not want youth-service volunteers used as airport workers.
The airport authority says it is working with airlines and other groups to reduce problems.
The strike is affecting travel through an important regional airport.
Hundreds of passengers were stranded overnight at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The aviation workers' strike entered its second day on Monday.
Several flights were cancelled Sunday, while departing flights faced average delays of two to three hours.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union is demanding a finalized collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Airports Authority.
The union also opposes using National Youth Service volunteers as airport staff.
- Who
- The Kenya Aviation Workers Union and Kenya Airports Authority are the main parties involved, while passengers and airlines are affected.
- What
- A strike by aviation workers has caused flight cancellations, delays and stranded passengers.
- When
- The strike entered its second day on Monday; cancellations and disruptions began on Sunday.
- Where
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Why
- The union says the Kenya Airports Authority has not finalized a new collective bargaining agreement, and it opposes using National Youth Service volunteers as airport staff.
Workers' Union
Airport Authority
Collective bargaining agreement
Workers' Union
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union says the Kenya Airports Authority has failed to finalize a longstanding new collective bargaining agreement.
Airport Authority
The Kenya Airports Authority did not directly address the agreement dispute in its statement, but said it was coordinating with aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to manage the disruption.
Airport staffing
Workers' Union
The union opposes using volunteers from the National Youth Service as airport staff.
Airport Authority
The Kenya Airports Authority's statement said it was working to facilitate the smooth flow of airport operations, without detailing its position on the volunteers.
Operational disruption
Workers' Union
The strike has contributed to cancelled flights, delays and passengers spending the night at the airport.
Airport Authority
The Kenya Airports Authority says it is working with relevant agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to minimize disruption.
- Airport
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi
- Strike status
- The strike entered its second day on Monday
- Passenger impact
- Hundreds of travelers were stranded overnight
- Flight cancellations
- Several flights were cancelled on Sunday
- Flight delays
- Kenya Airways reported average delays of two to three hours
- Union demand
- Finalization of a new collective bargaining agreement with the Kenya Airports Authority
- Additional dispute
- The union opposes using National Youth Service volunteers as airport staff