Flight Disruptions Out of JKIA

Travel Advisory|JKIA

The Kenya Airports Authority confirmed on February 2026 that several outbound flights will be delayed due to operational disruptions. This is tied to an ongoing labor disagreement between aviation workers and management. Passengers have been advised to contact their airlines for updated schedules. The statement from JKIA read:

We wish to inform our customers that, following the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority's statement in the implementation of contigency measuresto safeguard aviation safety and service continuityon 16th February 2026, we are currently experiencing a traffic control and operational delays at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airpot (JKIA), affecting certain departures and arrivals. Passengers are advised to expect possible schedule adjustments including delays. We sincerely regret the incovenience and are working closely with the relevant aviation authoritiesand airport stakeholdersto minimise disruption and maintain safe operations.

Labour Court Intervention

Last week, the Labour Court issued an order preventing a planned strike by aviation workers scheduled for February 16th, 2026. While this has averted a full strike, travelers should still anticipate delays and service disruptions because essential staff are affected by ongoing labor tensions.

Cause of the Disruption

There have been ongoing negotiations between the Kenya Airport Workers Union (KAWU) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) over pay, working conditions, and unresolved grievances. According to reports, aviation workers issued a seven-day strike notice after talks on pay and collective bargaining broke down. The union says issues include stalled reviews on salary, delays in promotion, and disputes over employment terms.

What this means for Travellers

All travelers with flights scheduled for today will have to liaise with their airlines for rescheduling. There are expected delays in potential flights at the airport. It is important to note that these delays are not in any way related to safety incidents or security breaches but are purely due to labor-related operational disruptions. This disruption means there will be longer queues and slower handling of passenger services because essential staff are on strike.

Traveler Advisory

To minimize inconvenience, travelers are advised to:

Check their flight status before traveling to the airport
Monitor official communication channels from Kenya Airways and other carriers for updates
Explore rebooking options if their flight is significantly delayed.
Travelers can reduce the impact of these disruptions and ensure smoother travel despite the ongoing labor issue by staying informed and planning ahead.