Air travel in Kenya has begun returning to normal after aviation workers suspended a two-day strike that caused widespread delays and cancellations across the country.
Thousands of passengers were affected at Nairobi and other airports after workers launched industrial action on Sunday, disrupting flight schedules and leaving travellers stranded.
Operations started recovering on Tuesday following an agreement between aviation authorities and the unions involved in the dispute.
Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority said the two sides had reached an understanding on how to resolve some of the issues that triggered the strike.
A major point of contention has been the demand by aviation unions for a new collective bargaining agreement. The unions have also been calling for an end to the use of volunteer workers at airports.
Under the latest agreement, unions are expected to receive outstanding agency fees owed to them by the Airports Authority.
Discussions on a new collective bargaining agreement are also expected to continue, with the aviation authority indicating that it will respect the outcome of the negotiations.
The strike was the latest in a series of industrial disputes involving Kenya’s aviation workers, highlighting continuing tensions over employment conditions and labour agreements.
The disruption had significant implications for Kenya’s aviation industry, particularly because Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi serves as one of East Africa’s most important aviation hubs.
The airport plays a major role in supporting Kenya’s tourism sector and connecting the country with destinations across Africa and beyond.
Kenya’s Transport Minister said the government played a role in helping the parties reach an agreement and acknowledged that the disruption had caused substantial economic losses.
Meanwhile, national carrier Kenya Airways said it was taking steps to restore its normal schedule.
The airline warned passengers, however, that some delays could continue into Wednesday as airlines work through the backlog created during the two-day disruption.
Travellers have therefore been advised to check their flight status and allow additional time at airports while operations return to normal.
