Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) remains in the grip of major travel chaos as a strike by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) entered its second day on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The industrial action, which began early Monday, has paralyzed operations at East Africa’s busiest aviation hub, leaving thousands of international and domestic passengers stranded in crowded terminals and on stationary aircraft.
The strike centers on a decade-long dispute over stalled Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) dating back to 2015. Union leaders accuse the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) of “bad faith” negotiations, citing a lack of salary reviews for over ten years and the continued use of temporary contracts for permanent roles. Despite a late Friday court order suspending the strike, workers, including air traffic controllers, ground handlers, and security personnel, walked off the job, leading to a “total shutdown” of several critical services.
National carrier Kenya Airways and regional airline Jambojet have issued urgent travel advisories, warning of departure delays exceeding four hours and numerous cancellations. The ripple effects have been felt across the continent, with regional flights to Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia significantly disrupted. Stranded travelers, many of whom have spent over 24 hours at the airport, described scenes of confusion and a lack of communication from airport authorities.
While the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) claims to have activated contingency measures to restore normalcy, pilots have warned that prolonged disruptions could lead to crew fatigue and safety risks. As the Kenyan government scrambles to break the deadlock in emergency talks today, the standoff highlights the fragile state of the region’s aviation infrastructure. This disruption serves as a stark reminder of the economic impact of labor unrest on one of Africa’s most vital transport corridors.
