• A strike at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has left thousands of travelers stranded.
• Kenya Airways and other airlines report significant delays and cancellations.
• Passengers are urged to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
• The strike, initiated by air traffic controllers, reflects ongoing labor disputes for better working conditions.

A strike by air traffic controllers at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has caused major flight delays and left thousands of travelers stranded. Workers are demanding better pay and improved working conditions, leading Kenya Airways to issue a travel advisory urging passengers to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport, as delays could reach up to four hours, according to latimes and africanews.

Passengers reported long waits at the airport, with many unsure of their flight status. “We were told to wait until further notice,” said Kenyan traveler Jazzy Mwango. This strike follows the failure of an agreement between the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and the workers’ union regarding labor conditions, prompting the union to launch the strike despite a court order against it, as highlighted by reuters.

The situation remains precarious as the Kenya Airports Authority has implemented contingency measures to manage disruptions while seeking to resolve the ongoing strike. National carrier Kenya Airways noted that they were experiencing substantial operational delays, with some flights being canceled, which has compounded the sense of uncertainty for scores of passengers awaiting information about their travel plans, according to latimes and reuters.

The strike reflects broader grievances from the aviation workers regarding the conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement and working conditions. The transport minister has called for meetings with both the union and the aviation authority to attempt to resolve these issues, indicating a potential pathway to an end to the strike, as discussed in reuters and africanews.