Jambojet had operated only two of its 55 scheduled flights by 11:30 am on Monday as an ongoing air traffic control (ATC) workers’ go-slow disrupted aviation operations across Kenya.
The airline said 53 scheduled flights had yet to operate by late morning, highlighting the scale of disruption caused by the industrial action, which has affected flight movements at major airports.
In its fourth update on the situation, issued at 11:45 am on Monday, August 31, Jambojet said five flights were next in line to depart but were still awaiting the required clearance from air traffic control.
“Jambojet wishes to provide guests with a further update regarding the ongoing flight disruptions arising from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) workers' strike. As of 1130 hrs, Jambojet has operated 2 out of 55 scheduled flights for the day,” the airline said.
The five flights awaiting clearance were JM 8650, JM 8600, JM 8660, JM 8640 and JM 8690.
“The next flights to depart will be JM 8650, 8600, 8660, 8640 and 8690 and are currently awaiting the necessary clearance for these flights. Further flight updates will be shared as and when they become available,” Jambojet said.
The disruption is part of an ongoing dispute involving aviation workers, whose industrial action has affected air traffic control services and consequently the movement of aircraft through Kenyan airspace.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority issued a Notice to Airmen(NOTAM), as was seen by Radio Generation, warning that traffic to and from the Nairobi Flight Information Region, including major airports, could be delayed because of a staff go-slow.
The notice covered both instrument and visual flight operations and was in force from Sunday evening until 7pm on Monday, subject to extension.
The impact has been particularly significant at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya’s main international aviation hub, where airlines have reported delays and disruptions to scheduled services.
Kenya Airways has also reported operational constraints linked to air traffic control services, while passengers have been advised to confirm their flight status with airlines before travelling to airports.
The latest figures from Jambojet show how the disruption has affected domestic aviation, where airlines depend on coordinated ATC clearances to maintain schedules and aircraft rotations between destinations.
Jambojet said its operational teams remained available to assist passengers and were working to resume services as soon as clearances became available.
“Our teams remain fully operational and are available to assist and support guests during this period. We continue to work around the clock to resume operations as soon as clearance is received and minimise the impact on our guests,” the airline said.
The carrier apologised to passengers for the disruption and asked for their patience as it continued monitoring the situation.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate our guests' patience and understanding,” Jambojet said.
The industrial action follows a prolonged dispute over workers’ grievances, including employment conditions and other labour-related concerns. An earlier strike threat was suspended after government-brokered discussions, but the dispute later resurfaced, leading to renewed industrial action.
The latest go-slow has created challenges for airlines operating domestic, regional and international schedules, with delays at one point in the aviation chain potentially affecting subsequent flights and passenger connections.
For Jambojet, the disruption has left most of its Monday schedule pending, with the airline unable to provide certainty on when all flights would operate.
The carrier said it would issue further updates as clearances became available and encouraged passengers requiring assistance to contact its customer support team.
With the industrial action continuing, travellers face the possibility of further delays and schedule changes. Passengers have been advised to check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport and to allow additional time for their journeys.