Passengers travelling through Kenyan airports have been warned to expect delays after the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed disruptions affecting some departing flights on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
In a passenger advisory issued in Nairobi, KAA said some departing flights were experiencing delays but did not initially disclose the number of affected flights or the specific cause.
The authority said it was working with aviation agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to minimise the disruption and maintain the flow of airport operations.
“Passengers are advised to contact their respective Airlines for the latest information on their flight status and to plan their journeys accordingly,” KAA said in the advisory.
The authority apologised for the inconvenience and said further updates would be issued as the situation develops.
Aviation workers' strike behind disruption
Further reports on Sunday linked the disruption to renewed industrial action by aviation workers represented by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU).
KAWU Secretary-General Moses Ndiema confirmed that union members at the Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority had resumed strike action after the suspension of an earlier strike notice was lifted.
The dispute follows months of disagreements over workers' grievances, including remuneration and negotiations around collective bargaining agreements. A planned strike had previously been suspended in July after the government and the union agreed to continue discussions.
The latest action has affected operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya's main international aviation hub, with reports of passengers facing lengthy waits and delayed departures.
Kenya Airways reports 2–3 hour delays
Kenya Airways separately advised passengers using JKIA to expect significant delays.
The national carrier said its flights were experiencing average delays of two to three hours, attributing the disruption to operational constraints affecting Air Traffic Control services.
By 5pm on Sunday, Kenya Airways said its scheduled flights for the day had departed, although with the reported delays.
The airline said it was working with aviation authorities and other airport stakeholders to minimise disruption and was contacting affected customers where flight schedules changed.
Passengers were advised to keep their contact details updated with the airline and check their booking information for the latest changes.
What passengers should do
KAA has advised travellers not to rely solely on general airport information, but to contact their respective airlines directly for flight-specific updates.
Passengers scheduled to depart on Sunday should confirm whether their flights have been delayed before making their way to the airport and should allow additional time for their journeys.
KAA has not announced a blanket cancellation of flights. Its advisory specifically refers to delays affecting some departing flights.
The situation remains fluid, with KAA saying further updates will be provided.
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Category: Business
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