Kenya Airport Strike Ends, Flights Resume After Two-Day Disruption

Nairobi — Normal airport operations have resumed across Kenya following the suspension of a two-day strike by aviation workers. The industrial action, led by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), caused significant flight delays and cancellations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other airports nationwide.

Agreement Reached with Government

The strike ended after a successful mediation meeting led by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), KAWU, and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). A return-to-work formula was signed, paving the way for staff to resume duties as reported by Kenyans.co.ke.

Strike Grievances and Disruptions

KAWU initiated the strike after a seven-day notice period expired, citing unresolved grievances related to stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, concerns over working conditions, and issues with contract conversions according to Citizen Digital. The industrial action began on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The disruptions impacted major airlines, including Kenya Airways and Jambojet, forcing them to reschedule flights and causing delays for hundreds of passengers. Some airlines reported delays of up to four hours as noted by Kenyans.co.ke.

Normalizing Operations and Passenger Advice

The KAA has announced that operations are now normalizing across all airports. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight schedules and updates as stated in a KAA announcement. The Ministry of Labour will facilitate further conciliatory processes to address remaining worker concerns, with KAWU committing to ongoing dialogue prioritizing passengers and aviation reliability according to reports.

KAA activated contingency measures during the disruption, citing safety and security concerns as reported by Kenyans.co.ke.