The confusion and paralysis at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) entered the second day after aviation workers downed their tools on Monday, February 16. Departures and arrivals were hard hit, leaving passengers in long queues, on grounded aircraft, or seeking alternative means by road and rail, for domestic travel.
In its recent update titled “Update 3”, Jambojet has confirmed that most of its network remains affected and that the airline is still working to clear the operational backlog from 16 February 2026.
According to the notice, several flights are operating on schedule or have already departed. These include flights from Nairobi to Mombasa (JM 8712D), Kisumu (JM 8654D), Eldoret (JM 8620D), and Nairobi to Ukunda (JM 8694D), all marked as departed.
The Kisumu–Mombasa service (JM 8700D) and the Nairobi–Eldoret flight (JM 8664D) are also confirmed, with the latter set to start boarding shortly.
Other services listed as scheduled for today include Nairobi–Kisumu (JM 8655D), Eldoret–Nairobi (JM 8621D), Nairobi–Mombasa (JM 8711D), and Nairobi–Eldoret (JM 8686D).
Kenya Airways (KQ) has issued a fresh travel advisory warning passengers of delays of up to four hours for departures out of JKIA.
According to the statement, KQ has adjusted its network to manage the impact and is working with airport authorities to reduce pressure on schedules.
Passengers are being advised to expect further changes as the situation continues to evolve.
“Further to yesterday’s update regarding flight disruptions out of JKIA, resulting from air traffic control operational delays, and a statement from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) on its contingency measures, we wish to inform our customers that we are experiencing delays of up to four (4) hours for departures out of JKIA and have adjusted our network accordingly,” KQ stated.
Jambojet airlines has issued a public announcement to its customers, stating that that the airline will not resume operations at JKIA.
In a statement dated February 17, the airline stated that the decision is due to the industrial action by KAWU, which has affected air traffic control.
“Kindly do not proceed to the airport for your scheduled flight until you receive a further update from us regarding your flight status. We will continue to provide timely communication via SMS, email, and our official social media platforms as soon as more information becomes available.”
KQ and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) warned of more delays and schedule changes as operations remain constrained.
Thousands of Kenyans have expressed their dissatisfaction with how the situation is being handled, with most complaining of little to no communication from their respective airlines on what to do next.
JKIA Strike Continues
In its latest update, KAA stated that the authority is working to ensure that day-to-day activites at the airport resume as soon as people.
“Further to our earlier communication, Kenya Airports Authority wishes to assure passengers that it is working closely with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, airlines, and other stakeholders to ensure business continuity across all our airports,” read the statement by KAA.
The Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) says the ongoing industrial action at JKIA has created significant operational disruptions.
In a public announcement dated February 17, the association stated that aviation safety is non‑negotiable, warning that prolonged disruptions may interfere with crew scheduling, rest periods, and fatigue management.
The association emphasizes that pilots must operate within strict Flight Duty Period (FDP) limits and mandatory rest rules, which cannot be compromised during irregular operations.
“While we acknowledge the challenges currently facing the sector, we reiterate that labour matters are best resolved through constructive, good-faith dialogue. Meaningful engagement among all parties is essential to address outstanding issues and achieve mutually beneficial and sustainable solutions. Approaches that frustrate negotiations or entrench positions only lead to avoidable stalemates and further disruption to the industry and the travelling public,” read part of the statement by KALPA.
KAA further issued apologies for any inconvinience caused by flight delays and backlogs and thank everyone for their patience.
Several airlines, including KQ, Jambojet, RwandAir, Uganda Airlines, Starlink, and Precision Airlines, have also issued statements on the recent situation, confirming that the situation remains tense.
Some travelers remained seated in parked aircraft as crews waited for sequencing and support, while others missed connections and sought road options to keep appointments.
Several Kenyan leaders added weight to the matter by using alternative means of transport to be able to attend to their duties.
Kenya Airports Authority, in its latest formal update, assured passengers that it is working with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and airlines to restore continuity across all airports, urging travelers to remain in contact with carriers for flight schedules and rebooking support.
KCAA has also reiterated that contingency measures to keep air navigation safe as ground operations struggle to match demand, noting that the strike impacts essential airport functions including ground handling and airside staffing.
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Passengers arriving late in Nairobi continue to report missed business meetings, canceled events, and extended accommodation costs as airlines adjust schedules.
Airlines Stranded Mid-Air
Air traffic over Nairobi remains heavily disrupted as multiple inbound flights are forced into extended holding patterns above the city due to the ongoing JKIA strike.
Flight‑tracking data provided by affected passengers shows several aircraft unable to land on schedule, including KLM Cargo flight MPH8372, a Boeing 747‑406(ER) from Johannesburg, which circled repeatedly over Athi River, Kajiado, and Machakos while awaiting clearance.
Other flights faced the same problem, with Kenya Airways flight KQ706 from Harare also circling south of Nairobi as it waited for a landing slot, making several loops before being allowed to descend.
The operational slowdown has also begun to affect cargo movement, with freight forwarders warning of a growing backlog at the JKIA cargo terminal.
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Exporters of fresh produce, flowers, and pharmaceuticals, which are sectors that rely on tight flight schedules, reported delays in cold-chain processing and uplift, raising concerns over potential losses if the disruption persists.
Troubled History of JKIA
JKIA has faced repeated operational and infrastructure crises that have occasionally disrupted its role as East Africa’s primary aviation hub.
JKIA has also struggled with congestion due to long-running delays in expanding terminal infrastructure.
Terminal 1A improved JKIA’s handling of long‑distance international flights, but other sections of the airport have continued to experience peak-hour delays, long queues, and slow baggage processing, especially when multiple wide-body aircraft arrive simultaneously.
The airport also became involved in the controversial Adani Group deal, a proposed 30‑year lease that sparked national uproar.
Aviation workers opposed the agreement, warning of job losses and loss of sovereignty over a strategic asset.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) successfully stopped the deal in court, citing lack of transparency.
The collapse of the Adani proposal forced the government to restart planning for a new expansion blueprint, admitting the airport has suffered from years of underinvestment, mismanagement, and political interference.
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