Kenya Airways flights crippled as aviation workers strike persists

Kenya Airways flights were severely affected today as aviation workers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi staged a go-slow protest against a planned deal involving a private Indian company, Adani, to manage the airport. The strike, which commenced at midnight, resulted in the cancellation and delay of several flights, causing a backlog and inconvenience to passengers. As negotiations between the government, union leaders, and airport authorities continued, the strike persisted, leaving many travelers stranded and frustrated. The disruption extended beyond Kenya Airways, impacting other airlines such as Rwanda Air and Uganda Airlines, which also had to cancel flights to Kenya. The financial implications of the strike were significant, with costs escalating due to rebooking onto new flights, potential accommodation expenses, and other related costs. While the exact monetary impact was yet to be determined, airlines were primarily focused on resolving the backlog and ensuring operations return to normal. At the core of the workers' grievances was the government's proposal to involve Adani in the management of the airport through a Private Initiated Proposal (PIP) valued at $1.8 billion. The deal included provisions for the construction of a new runway and potential challenges concerning work visas for expatriates, fueling concerns among local workers about job security. The lack of clear communication and transparency regarding the deal sparked resistance from the aviation workers, who feared the implications it could have on their employment. Despite ongoing negotiations and efforts to address the workers' concerns, the situation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport remained tense. As the strike continued and flights struggled to operate smoothly, both passengers and airlines awaited a resolution to the standoff, hoping for a swift and amicable conclusion to restore normalcy at the airport.