Kenya strike delays flights at international hub airport

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete February 16, 2026 at 11:48 AM

AI Summary

short article 2 min

Aviation workers in Kenya began a strike at 6:00 AM local time, causing significant delays to flights in and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, a major transport hub in Africa. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) initiated the strike due to stalled salary negotiations, delayed union remittances, poor working conditions, and alleged discrimination by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Kenya Airways reported experiencing air traffic control delays and is working to minimize disruptions. The KCAA sought a court order to halt the strike, but a judge suspended the action pending further review next week, and the KCAA is implementing measures to maintain aviation safety and service stability.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Basillioh Rukanga 30% Moss Ndiema 60% Kenya Airways 70% Nairobi 70% Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) ×280% Kenya ×280% Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) ×380% Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ×290%

Keywords

aviation strike 100% flight delays 90% airport disruptions 80% jomo kenyatta international airport 70% aviation industry workers 60% kenya airways 60% pay and working conditions 50% labor disputes 50% air traffic control 40%