Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced that passengers whose flights were disrupted by the aviation workers’ strike can reschedule their journeys at no additional cost as the national carrier works to clear a backlog of affected flights.
The airline said on Tuesday, September 1, that it had started restoring its operations after aviation workers called off their industrial action following an agreement reached with the government.
“Following the Air Traffic Control workers' strike call-off this morning, our teams have been proactively working through the flight backlog to restore normal operations,” Kenya Airways said in a statement.
The industrial action began on Sunday, August 30, causing widespread disruption at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and other airports across the country.
The strike was called off on Tuesday after the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) reached and signed a return-to-work agreement with the Ministry of Transport. The agreement directed workers who had participated in the industrial action to resume their normal duties.
With airport operations gradually returning to normal, Kenya Airways warned that passengers could still experience delays as its teams work through flights that were disrupted during the strike.
The airline said it expected to restore its regular timetable by Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Kenya Airways also moved to ease the burden on passengers whose travel plans were affected by the disruption by waiving additional rebooking charges. “Affected customers who would like to reschedule their flights may do so at no additional cost,” Kenya Airways said.
Passengers affected by the disruption have been advised to confirm their flight status before travelling by using the airline’s website or mobile application.
The carrier also asked travellers to ensure their contact details are updated through the Manage Booking option. This will enable the airline to reach passengers with changes affecting their flights.
Kenya Airways said it would issue flight status updates through SMS, WhatsApp and email, using the contact information supplied by passengers when making their bookings.
Travellers requiring additional assistance can contact the airline’s Customer Excellence Centre through +254 711 024 747. They can also seek assistance through the airline’s WhatsApp line on +254 705 474 747.
The national carrier apologised to passengers for the disruption, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the industrial action and subsequent efforts to restore normal operations.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by this disruption and appreciate your patience and understanding during this period,” the airline said, adding that the safety of passengers and staff remained its top priority.
Aviation Workers Strike
The strike had caused significant disruption to air travel in Kenya, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at airports as air traffic controllers and other employees affiliated with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) participated in the industrial action.
JKIA and Moi International Airport in Mombasa were among the facilities hardest hit by the disruption, with airport operations slowing significantly and numerous flights affected.
The aviation workers had cited several grievances in pushing for industrial action, including demands for improved employee welfare, better remuneration and working conditions.
They also called for the implementation of employment benefits that had previously been agreed upon with their employers.
KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema said the union had initially reached an understanding on a framework that would allow individual employers to address the grievances raised by their respective employees.
The return-to-work agreement has now paved the way for aviation workers to resume normal duties, allowing airlines including Kenya Airways to begin clearing the flight backlog and restoring regular schedules.
Passengers travelling in the coming days have consequently been encouraged to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport and to monitor communication from their respective airlines for any schedule changes.
