NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Flight services have returned to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi after airport staff ended a two-day work stoppage Tuesday following successful negotiations with Kenya’s transportation department.
The major aviation hub experienced severe disruptions Monday, with travelers facing delays stretching up to six hours as carriers advised customers to reschedule their trips.
Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority announced in a release that airport functions would restart immediately following the successful labor agreement reached with union representatives on Tuesday.
Workers had been seeking improved workplace conditions, higher wages, and enhanced benefits packages, with negotiations addressing these concerns taking place throughout Tuesday.
The facility serves as a crucial gateway for both regional African travel and international flights.
Transportation Minister Davies Chirchir emphasized the government’s dedication to maintaining stability within the country’s aviation industry.
Kenya Airways released a statement indicating the carrier was working to restore its flight schedule, noting that “normal operations will resume within the next 24 hours.”
The work stoppage began after union officials issued a strike warning the previous week, citing government failure to honor portions of a previously negotiated labor contract that included provisions for enhanced working conditions along with salary and benefit improvements.
