Thousands of passengers have been stranded at airports across the country and beyond as the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) industrial action entered its second day, with no end in sight.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Most flight companies, including the national carrier, have confirmed the disruption, saying flights out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)are facing delays of more than six hours, forcing several cancellations and reschedules.

Among those caught up in the chaos is one traveller, who has been stuck at the airport for almost three days without any help from airline staff.

He had booked a new ticket with Turkish Airlines after his original flight fell through, only for that one to be cancelled too, with no explanation given.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the disgruntled passenger, his luggage has been missing since Saturday, and has already spent close to Ksh300,000 (USD2,300) on hotels, food, and rebooking, with nothing refunded.

“We stayed there for six hours. The plane was not moving or even any information said that the plane was not moving. Actually, I've been spending over USD2,300 or USD2,000, on hotel accommodations, which is a tough situation to bear on my side,” stated the passenger.

Other travellers describe a similar ordeal, saying they have been waiting since 2 am in the cold, with no food or water, feeling powerless to do anything about it.

The disruption has also had a compounding effect on those booking flights with the national carriers into the country, with the situation of the  Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera  confirmed to be stuck in Dubai on August 31 after his flight to Nairobi was cancelled, warning that the standoff is costing Kenya dearly in trade and tourism.

“I am currently stuck at the airport in Saudi Arabia after our flight to Nairobi last night was cancelled, with no idea when we will get home. This JKIA mess is too costly for Kenya, with stranded tourists, delayed cargo, disrupted business operations and millions being lost by the hour. JKIA is too important to our economy and the country’s leadership must step in and resolve this urgently,” Nyakera stated.

Airlines have urged customers to avoid the airport unless they hold a confirmed flight, citing the growing backlog caused by the ongoing air traffic control action.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke