Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi faced significant disruptions on February 16, 2026, as aviation workers initiated an industrial strike, leading to widespread confusion, severe delays, and numerous flight cancellations. This industrial action effectively paralysed operations at Kenya's principal air gateway, causing substantial inconvenience for thousands of travellers.

The strike resulted in departing flights from JKIA, one of Africa's busiest transport hubs, experiencing delays of up to four hours. Passengers reported being stranded at the airport or confined within aircraft for extended periods, awaiting clearance for takeoff. Kenya Airways acknowledged the situation, stating it was experiencing "air traffic control operational delays affecting certain departures and arrivals." The airline advised passengers to anticipate possible schedule adjustments, including delays, and issued an apology for the inconvenience, emphasizing its efforts to minimize disruptions and maintain safe operations.

The industrial action was a culmination of long-standing grievances by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), which had issued a warning a week prior. Workers cited issues such as insufficient pay, poor working conditions, stalled salary negotiations, delayed union remittances, and alleged discrimination by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) management. KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema confirmed the strike began at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT), leading to a considerable backlog and severely impacting air travel across the nation.

The effects of the strike were keenly felt by travellers. A Kenyan senator, Boni Khalwale, recounted being forced to travel by road from Kisumu after waiting fruitlessly for many hours at the airport. Other passengers expressed their frustration and resilience, with one observer noting that travellers at JKIA were experiencing "the true meaning of patience and character development," and humorously suggested carrying a mattress if one had a flight that day.

In response to the crisis, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) activated its contingency plans at JKIA and urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for real-time updates. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), which had previously sought and obtained a temporary court order suspending the strike a week earlier, released a statement affirming its active engagement with relevant parties in compliance with applicable labour laws and court directions. KCAA also indicated that it was implementing measures to ensure aviation safety and service stability amidst the planned industrial action.

The disruption at JKIA held significant implications, given its strategic importance as a major regional hub and a crucial gateway connecting the continent with the rest of the world. Kenyan authorities reported that the airport handled approximately nine million passengers in the previous year. The strike underscored the persistent and decade-long labour disputes within the aviation sector, highlighting the critical need for a lasting resolution to ensure the smooth functioning of vital air travel services.