NAIROBI, Kenya- The aviation workers’ strike that paralyzed operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport ended yesterday, bringing relief. However, the strike resulted in significant losses for various industries.
Planes were unable to land or take off, and flights en route to Kenya were diverted. Airlines, including Kenya Airways and Jambojet, were forced to cancel flights, leaving customers and crews stranded in Nairobi and other cities with connecting flights.
The situation also spelled bad news for Kenya’s fresh produce exporters, particularly those dealing in time-sensitive goods like flowers and avocados.
According to the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa, the strike severely impacted exports of fresh produce to markets like Dubai, with reduced cargo handling capacity at the airport.
“We foresee massive losses for time-bound exports like flowers, vegetables, and beef,” said CEO Agayo Ogambi.
For airlines, the strike resulted in significant financial losses. Kenya Airways, which uses JKIA as its main hub, faced revenue hits, with daily revenues averaging Sh487 million, a substantial portion of which comes from flights in and out of JKIA.
The ripple effect of the disruption is expected to be felt across the entire aviation and export industries.
At the heart of the strike was the aviation workers’ objection to the proposal to hand over operations of JKIA to Adani, a move that KAWU argues has been veiled in secrecy.
The union fears that outsourcing operations to the Indian firm would result in job losses and a potential influx of expatriate workers, displacing Kenyans.
Despite government assurances that the deal is still under review, and that any agreement would follow the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act 2021—which requires legal and financial assessments, as well as public consultation—the lack of transparency has continued to fuel mistrust.
The proposal only came to light in July after a Senate inquiry, further raising concerns about its true impact on the workforce and the broader aviation industry.
Adding to the anxiety is the concern that Adani might significantly raise fees for passengers and airlines using JKIA.
The company has already suggested that the current aeronautical charges at JKIA are lower than those at regional hubs like Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, making it financially unsustainable.
In its proposal, Adani indicated that doubling the fees could better secure the airport’s future, but it could also make air travel more expensive for passengers and businesses.
The government maintains that no final decision has been made regarding the JKIA deal.
Transport authorities insist that any future agreements will undergo thorough financial, legal, and technical reviews to ensure they align with national interests.
This includes public consultations and scrutiny from the National Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Cabinet.
Though the striking workers agreed to go back to work and operations have resumed at the airport, they remain firm in their opposition to the Adani takeover deal.
