Kenya Airways has canceled and rescheduled several flights after delays at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) stretched beyond six hours following an ongoing industrial action by Air Traffic Control (ATC) workers.
In a customer update issued on Monday, August 31, the national carrier said the disruption had created a significant flight backlog, forcing the airline to adjust schedules and cancel some services as it works to manage the situation.
The airline said its teams were working around the clock to minimize the impact on passengers, adding that it was proactively reviewing and adjusting flight schedules as the situation evolved.
“We are experiencing delays of more than six hours, and due to the flight backlog, we have had to reschedule and cancel some flights,” Kenya Airways said.
Passengers were advised to check the status of their flights before traveling to the airport, with the airline urging customers to only proceed to JKIA once their flights had been confirmed.
Travelers were also encouraged to monitor updates through the Kenya Airways website and mobile application and ensure their contact information was up to date to receive the latest travel notifications.
Kenya Airways on Flight Disruptions
Kenya Airways said it was working to manage the operational challenges while maintaining passenger safety and reducing inconvenience.
Also Read: Airtel Seeks Two New Licenses in Kenya as CA Opens Public Objection Window
According to the airline, staff have been deployed to handle the disruptions, including rebooking affected travelers and providing updated travel information as schedules change.
The carrier reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority despite the ongoing challenges affecting air traffic operations.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by this disruption. The safety of our customers and crew remains our highest priority, and we appreciate their patience and understanding as we work to resolve this disruption,” the airline said.
Passengers affected by the schedule changes can change or reschedule their flights without incurring penalties, Kenya Airways added.
Impact Spreads Across Aviation Sector
The disruptions have also affected other airlines operating through JKIA, with carriers warning passengers of delays and schedule changes as the air traffic control go-slow continues.
Jambojet said flight operations had been severely affected by the industrial action, revealing that by 11.30 am on Monday, it had operated only two out of its 55 scheduled flights for the day.
In an update to customers, the airline said several flights, including JM 8650, 8600, 8660, 8640 and 8690, were awaiting the necessary clearances before departure.
“As of 1130 hrs, Jambojet has operated 2 out of 55 scheduled flights for the day. The next flights to depart are JM 8650, 8600, 8660, 8640 and 8690 and are currently awaiting the necessary clearance for these flights,” the airline said.
Jambojet added that its teams remained available to assist affected passengers as it worked to resume normal operations once it obtained clearance.
Also Read: Drama at Makueni Burial as Heated Exchange Forces Priests to Walk Out
Skyward Airlines also warned customers that all its flights could experience delays because of the ongoing disruption.
The airline said passengers who opted to cancel their travel plans would be rebooked at no additional cost and advised customers to contact its reservations team for assistance.
Exporters Fear Heavy Losses
The disruption has also triggered concern among exporters, who warned that prolonged delays at JKIA could hurt Kenya’s access to key international markets.
The Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPCK) said the ongoing go-slow was affecting the country’s main export gateway, putting perishable exports at risk.
According to the consortium, aircraft leaving JKIA transport significant quantities of flowers, fruits, vegetables, meat, herbs and spices to markets across the world.
FPCK warned that flight and cargo disruptions were causing consignments to miss connections, leading to canceled orders, deteriorating produce, and financial losses for exporters.
The lobby further cautioned that continued disruptions could undermine the confidence of international buyers who rely on Kenya for timely deliveries.
“Kenya cannot afford to lose its hard-won markets because our primary export gateway cannot guarantee predictable operations. This is not merely an airport inconvenience. It is an economic threat,” the consortium said.
The organization called on the Kenya Airports Authority and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to move quickly and resolve the dispute, warning that further delays could have far-reaching consequences for trade and jobs.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
