NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 — Air travel between Kenya and Somalia has been hit by disruptions as an aviation workers’ strike at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) entered its second day, leaving passengers facing cancellations, delays and uncertainty over their travel plans.
The disruption has affected the busy Nairobi–Mogadishu air corridor, which connects Kenya’s main international aviation hub with Somalia’s Aden Adde International Airport.
Reports from Somalia on Monday indicated that hundreds of passengers had been affected, including travellers stranded in Mogadishu and Nairobi as scheduled services between the two countries were disrupted. (hiiraan.com)
The problems come amid wider disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where industrial action by aviation workers has affected air traffic control and airport operations.
JKIA strike enters second day
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) industrial action began on Sunday and continued into Monday, affecting operations at JKIA and other airports around the country.
The dispute involves workers at the Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, with air traffic control services among the operations affected.
Kenya Airports Authority confirmed Monday that flight operations at JKIA were continuing to experience delays and cancellations because of the industrial action.
The authority advised passengers to contact their respective airlines and confirm the status of their flights before travelling to the airport.
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The disruption has extended beyond individual airlines, highlighting JKIA’s importance as the main gateway linking Kenya with destinations across Africa and the rest of the world.
Somalia passengers caught in disruption
The Nairobi–Mogadishu corridor is particularly important for Somali travellers, businesspeople, government officials, humanitarian workers and members of the Somali diaspora.
Nairobi also serves as an important connection point for passengers travelling between Somalia and destinations beyond East Africa.
Somali reporting said passengers had been stranded after services between the two countries were disrupted for a second day.
The disruption has created additional costs for some travellers who have had to extend their stays while waiting for their flights to operate.
However, available flight-tracking information indicates that the disruption has not necessarily amounted to a complete shutdown of every flight on the route.
Daallo Airlines flight D3300 from Mogadishu to Nairobi, for example, was recorded as delayed on August 31, with flight-history data showing it departed Mogadishu later than scheduled.
The situation therefore appears to involve significant delays and cancellations affecting the corridor rather than a confirmed blanket suspension of all Kenya–Somalia air services.
Kenya Airways reports delays of more than six hours
The disruption at JKIA is affecting the wider Kenyan aviation network.
Kenya Airways said Monday that the ongoing industrial action had caused some flight delays of more than six hours, with the resulting backlog forcing some services to be rescheduled.
The airline advised passengers to travel to the airport only after confirming their flights and encouraged customers to ensure their contact information was up to date so they could receive schedule notifications.
The industrial action has also affected domestic airlines, with Jambojet operating only a fraction of its scheduled flights on Monday amid the disruption.
Why aviation workers are on strike
The industrial action follows a dispute between aviation workers, government agencies and employers over working conditions and agreements previously reached with the union.
KAWU had suspended an earlier strike notice in July after a framework agreement was reached with the government and aviation agencies.
The union subsequently revived its industrial action after saying key commitments under the agreement had not been implemented.
Among the issues raised are remuneration, recruitment policies, working conditions and collective bargaining arrangements.
The industrial action has affected workers associated with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and Kenya Airports Authority, contributing to slower air traffic control and airport operations.
Nairobi’s role as a regional aviation hub
The impact on Somalia-bound passengers illustrates the importance of Nairobi within East Africa’s aviation network.
JKIA handles international and regional flights while also providing connections to Kenya’s domestic aviation network.
Passengers connecting through Nairobi can use the Metros JKIA Airport Transport Guide to understand transport connections between the airport and different parts of Nairobi.
The city’s second major aviation facility, Wilson Airport, primarily handles domestic, charter, safari and regional aviation services.
ALSO READ: Kenya Domestic Flights: Airlines, Routes, Airports & Fares Guide
Disruption at JKIA can consequently have effects extending far beyond passengers whose journeys begin or end in Nairobi, particularly travellers using Kenya as a regional transit point.
Industry groups have warned that prolonged disruption could affect Kenya’s connectivity and its position as a major regional aviation hub.
Passengers advised to confirm flights before travelling
With flight schedules continuing to be affected, passengers travelling through JKIA have been advised not to rely solely on their original booking times.
Kenya Airports Authority has urged travellers to contact their airlines for the latest information before travelling to the airport.
Passengers travelling between Nairobi and Mogadishu should similarly confirm directly with their airline whether their particular service is operating, delayed, rescheduled or cancelled.
Those travelling to JKIA can plan their ground journey using the Metros JKIA Airport Transport Guide, but should only proceed to the airport after confirming their flight status where possible.
ALSO READ: JKIA Passenger Guide: Flights, Terminals & Airport Information
As of Monday evening, the aviation workers’ industrial action remained the principal confirmed cause of widespread flight disruption in Kenya, while passengers on the Nairobi–Mogadishu corridor continued to face uncertainty over individual services.
No firm timetable had been announced for a complete return to normal operations.
