No Flights Departing from JKIA: Passengers Stranded as Workers Strike Over Adani Agreement

On Tuesday night, September 10, hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as a strike by Kenya Aviation Authority (KAA) workers began. The strike, which commenced at midnight, was in protest against a deal involving Adani Group Holdings, leading to severe disruptions.

The industrial action led to long queues and major delays, with numerous flights grounded. Some passengers remained on the runway for hours after the strike began. Journalist Larry Madowo, who was on one of the last flights before the strike, tweeted, “I’m on one of the last flights out of JKIA at 23:59 hours if I make it—before the airport workers’ strike begins at midnight.”

With the strike in effect, no planes were allowed to depart, causing congestion at the airport. Traveler Edwin Dande voiced his frustration, noting, “There are now brokers getting paid to get you to the front of the line.”

The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) had previously warned of the strike, criticizing the government for not addressing their concerns over the secretive deal with the Indian conglomerate Adani Group, which is set to manage JKIA. Workers fear that the deal could result in mass layoffs. The union has stated that operations will not resume until the details of the agreement are disclosed.

The situation was further complicated by reports of mixed incoming and outgoing passengers, raising security concerns. “JKIA is completely overwhelmed,” remarked one passenger.

As the government has yet to respond to the workers’ demands, the situation at Kenya’s busiest airport remains tense, with many passengers anxiously waiting to see if negotiations will resolve the crisis.