Passengers are still stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi after aviation workers downed their tools on Wednesday in protest over management and the planned Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Airways merger.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) striking members include cabin crew, security, air traffic controllers, and aircraft maintenance service providers.
Both domestic and international flights have been disrupted since 3am.
Kenya Airways advised some of its customers not to come to the airport until the situation is resolved.
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“Further to the strike by KAWU members, we expect disruptions on flights. Customers on flights after 11am are advised not to come to the airport until further communication is shared. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused,” KQ said in a tweet.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia condemned the striking aviation workers insisting the strike was illegal. However, he assured operations at JKIA will resume in an hour.
“KAA in collaboration with KQ and with the support of Kenya Air force managed to get replacement of the screeners; As we speak we have the capacity to screen passengers departing and I can assure you that within the hour we shall have the first airplane flying out,” he assured.
