The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has signed a return-to-work formula, officially ending the Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff strike that disrupted operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a statement on February 17, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) stated that the resolution followed a mediation meeting led by the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Transport, Davis Chirchir, with participation from the Ministry of Labour, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), KAWU, and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
“The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has signed a return-to-work formula, officially concluding the Air Traffic Control (ATC) staff strike that disrupted operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” read part of the statement.
The workers’ grievances will now be addressed through ongoing negotiations under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Airport Operations to Resume as KAWU Calls Off Strike
The Kenya Airports Authority commended all parties for their constructive engagement and said operations are now returning to normal across all airports.
Passengers have been advised to contact their airlines for updated flight schedules.
KAA reiterated its commitment to maintaining safety and operational excellence across all airports.
The two-day strike has caused flight delays and cancellations, disrupting travel for passengers.
Also Read: JKIA Live Updates: Jambojet Asks Passengers Not to Go to the Airport
Airport Workers Strike Notice
On February 9, 2026, Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) issued a 7-days’ strike notice to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The union said the decision to issue the strike notice was a last resort, citing KCAA’s insensitive approach to employee concerns, its heavy-handed stance, and a long-standing lack of willingness to engage the union in resolving industrial disputes that have persisted for over ten years.
KAWU noted that the last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) lapsed in 2015, and efforts to negotiate a new CBA with management had repeatedly failed.
The union said that for over ten years, the terms and conditions of service for employees—including salaries, allowances, and other benefits—have remained stagnant, while management staff benefits have increased steadily.
Also Read: Kenya Airways Asks Passengers to Consider Rebooking Flights as JKIA Crisis Deepens
It accused KCAA management of disregarding legal guidelines and unilaterally altering employment terms, including job downgrades that led to pay cuts.
KAWU also said the management interfered with employees’ constitutional right to join the union, attempting to control which grades are eligible, contrary to a 2024 court-sanctioned conciliation.
The union said KCAA repeated promises to resolve disputes in good faith were ineffective, describing them as “public relations gimmicks.”
While the union stressed that it does not intend to paralyze civil aviation services, it said KCAA’s hardline stance left it with no choice but to take legal industrial action.
KAWU warned that unless the disputes outlined in the strike notice were resolved satisfactorily, the strike was to proceed as planned.
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