Aviation workers' strike on March 6, 2019, caused widespread flight disruptions at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), stranding hundreds of passengers and halting operations. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) initiated the action to protest unfair hiring practices, inadequate pay, and the proposed airport takeover by Kenya Airways (KQ).
The strike involved ground staff, cargo operators, and support service workers, with additional participation from duty-free shop employees and flight attendants. Kenya Airways advised passengers scheduled to depart after 11am to avoid the airport, stating no operations would occur. Flights to Amsterdam, Mumbai, and London remained unaffected, allowing check-ins for those travelers.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed efforts to restore normalcy and urged passengers to contact airlines for updates. Kawu, representing around 10,000 members including a quarter employed by KQ, demanded the removal of KAA and KQ managers. Union secretary general Moss Ndiema told the Business Daily, "We advise airline customers to consider alternative travel arrangements until the two [entities] leave office."
JKIA, East Africa's busiest airport and sixth in Africa, handles major carriers like British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Emirates. The strike disrupted travel for hundreds, forcing passengers to reschedule or seek alternative flights. In 2017, the airport processed 5.79 million passengers, with 5.89 million international travelers recorded through November 2018.
