Police and Kenya Airways Ground Services Unit (GSU) staff clashed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) early Tuesday, disrupting operations and forcing flight diversions as 80% of affected flights originated from foreign carriers.
Flights Diverted Amid Airport Tensions ¶
Two Kenya Airways flights originally bound for Mombasa and Tanzania arrived at JKIA Nairobi after being diverted, with one landing at 0517hrs and another at 0559hrs, according to airport operations reports.
"80% of flights were international," stated Kenya Airways CEO Sebastian Mikosz, confirming the scale of disruptions.
Three additional flights from London, Amsterdam, and Mumbai were also rerouted before the day's end. Mikosz urged passengers to coordinate with airline representatives to determine suitable refueling times, emphasizing that airport security measures remained intact.
Over 1,000 passengers were affected by the disruptions, which followed a labor dispute between airport workers and security personnel. The conflict escalated when airport staff refused to vacate the premises, leading to a standoff with police that resulted in the arrest of chief executive Moses Ndiema.
