Flight Disruption Fears as KAA Addresses Workers Strike Threat

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has pledged uninterrupted operations at the country’s airports despite a looming strike threat from aviation workers.

KAA confirmed receiving a strike notice from the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) on September 23.

In a statement on September 29, Acting Managing Director and CEO Dr. Mohamud Gedi said the authority is working to address the labour dispute while safeguarding the interests of passengers, airlines, and partners.

Dr. Mohamud Gedi pledged that “airports continue to operate as normal,” with safety, security, and service standards remaining the authority’s top priorities.

“The Authority wishes to assure all passengers, airlines, and partners that our airports continue to operate as normal,” Gedi said.

KAA Response to Union Strike Notice

The announcement comes amid concerns over possible disruptions at key airports, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

KAA stated that its top priority remains upholding the highest standards of safety, security, and service excellence across all our facilities.

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The authority’s reassurance comes at a time when air travel demand is recovering steadily, with passenger volumes climbing back to pre-pandemic levels across Africa.

KAWU had accused the KAA board of incompetence, citing the fallout from a scrapped plan to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to India’s Adani Group.

The proposed deal collapsed after US prosecutors indicted billionaire Gautam Adani and others in a corruption case, allegations the company has denied.

KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema said the Adani affair showed the board’s “lack of touch with reality.”

Strike Notice from KAWU

In a letter to its members, the union called for the board’s resignation and warned that industrial action could commence at any time after the seven-day notice period had expired.

Beyond the leasing deal, KAWU outlined other grievances, including non-payment of overtime at Wilson Airport for six months, dismantling of the Human Resources Department, three pending collective bargaining agreements, and the transfer of the Ground Flight Safety (GFS) unit from KAA to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

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The union said the transfer could strip KAA of vital revenue and threaten hundreds of jobs.

Aviation Union Demands

“For the last six months, unionisable employees working at Wilson Airport have not been paid their overtime for work lawfully done with management’s authorization,” the union’s letter stated.

It also accused management of failing to confirm more than 500 workers to permanent and pensionable terms despite years of service.

Workers at JKIA staged a strike last year over the Adani plan, disrupting operations at one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs.

KAWU has now urged its members to mobilize “massively” to ensure the success of the planned action, warning that livelihoods and job security are on the line.

While KAA has promised business as usual, negotiations between the authority and the union remain critical in averting potential chaos at Kenya’s airports.

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