NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 — Kenya’s aviation industry has called for an urgent end to an ongoing air traffic services strike, warning that prolonged disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is threatening flight safety, passenger connectivity and the country’s reputation as a regional aviation hub.

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The Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO), African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) said the industrial action by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which began on August 30, has caused delays, cancellations, diversions, rerouting and prolonged aircraft holding at JKIA and other Kenyan airports.

The industry bodies said the disruption was particularly concerning because air traffic services are safety-critical and require tested contingency arrangements to prevent operational risks from being transferred to airlines, crews and passengers.

“Safety cannot be improvised,” said Liz Aluvanze, Chief Executive Officer of KAAO.

📌 What You Need to Know

“Operators, crews and passengers should not carry the burden of a foreseeable disruption when timely notices, tested contingency measures and coordinated airport response should have been in place.”

The associations said the latest strike was foreseeable following similar industrial action in February, which should have prompted authorities to activate and communicate effective contingency plans.

They cited Regulation 40 of the Kenya Civil Aviation (Air Traffic Services) Regulations, which requires the air traffic services authority to develop contingency plans for actual or potential disruption of air traffic services and coordinate them with affected airspace users and neighbouring air traffic service authorities.

According to the aviation bodies, operators were not briefed on an activated contingency plan during the latest disruption, while delayed issuance of the relevant Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) left airlines with less time to adjust flight plans, fuel requirements, alternate airports, crew rosters and passenger arrangements.

They also called for more regular briefings from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) covering airport capacity, aircraft parking, gates, stands, apron congestion, ground handling, cargo facilities and the expected recovery sequence.

The disruption has already affected Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, which said some flights were facing delays of more than six hours at JKIA because of the backlog created by the industrial action.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya