Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has warned passengers of continued flight delays and cancellations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as disruption to Air Traffic Control (ATC) services persists amid an ongoing industrial action.
The authority has urged travellers to confirm their flight status directly with airlines before travelling to the airport, warning that previously scheduled departure and arrival times may be affected by the continuing disruption.
In a passenger advisory issued on Monday, August 31, KAA said the disruption was continuing to affect operations at Kenya's main international aviation hub.
“Due to ongoing disruptions affecting flight operations, passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines & confirm their flight status before travelling to the airport. We regret the inconvenience & appreciate your patience & understanding,” KAA said.
The warning comes as aviation workers continue industrial action that has disrupted flights at JKIA and other major airports, leaving airlines struggling to maintain normal schedules.
The latest disruption has exposed the critical role played by ATC services in Kenya's aviation network. Air traffic controllers coordinate aircraft movements, including departures, arrivals, and flights through controlled airspace. Any significant reduction in ATC capacity can therefore result in delays, cancellations and changes to flight schedules.
The impact has already been felt by several airlines operating through JKIA.
Jambojet reported earlier on Monday that it had operated only two of its 55 scheduled flights by 11:30am, with five more flights awaiting the necessary clearance to depart. The airline said its teams remained operational and were working to resume services once clearance was received.
Regional carrier RwandAir also cancelled flights between Kigali and Nairobi on both August 30 and August 31, citing continuing ATC operational constraints at JKIA.
Kenya Airways has similarly reported delays associated with constraints within ATC services, demonstrating how the disruption is affecting domestic, regional and international air travel.
JKIA is particularly vulnerable to such disruptions because of its role as Kenya's principal international gateway and a major regional aviation hub. The airport handles passenger and cargo traffic connecting Kenya with destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
Disruptions at JKIA can therefore have effects beyond individual flights. Delays to aircraft can affect subsequent services, while passengers connecting through Nairobi may miss onward flights. Airlines can also face challenges involving aircraft rotations, crew schedules and airport slots.
KAA said it was working with airlines and other aviation stakeholders to reduce the effects of the disruption while maintaining the safety and orderly functioning of the airport.
“Kenya Airports Authority PLC (KAA) wishes to advise passengers and other airport users that the ongoing disruption to Air Traffic Control services continues to affect flight operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” the authority said.
“As a result, some flights are experiencing delays and cancellations. Passengers are therefore strongly advised to contact their respective airlines and confirm the status of their flights in advance before travelling to the airport.”
The airport operator said its response was focused on maintaining safe and secure operations despite the challenges.
“KAA continues to work closely with airlines and other aviation stakeholders to mitigate the operational impact of the disruption and to facilitate the safe, secure and orderly operation of the airport,” it said.
The authority maintained that passenger safety remained its primary concern during the disruption.
“The safety and security of passengers, airport users and the wider aviation community remain our highest priority,” KAA said.
KAA apologised for the inconvenience caused and thanked passengers and other airport users for their patience and cooperation.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and thank all passengers and airport users for their patience, understanding and cooperation during this period,” it said.
With the industrial action continuing, travellers have been advised to check directly with their airlines before setting out for JKIA and to prepare for possible changes to their flight schedules.