Strike erupts at Kenya’s main airport
Labour dispute between Kenya Airways and its workers disrupts flights, with 24 flights delayed
Nairobi — A strike over a labour dispute disrupted flights at Kenya’s main international airport in Nairobi early on Wednesday, Kenya Airports Authority said, though the transport minister expected them to resume soon. Hundreds of passengers were waiting outside the international and domestic terminals and riot police dispersed picketing ground staff, a witness said, adding that three planes took off at about 7am (South African time) despite the strike. At least 25 foreign airlines operate out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), including Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, SAA and Ethiopian Airlines. Transport minister James Macharia said replacement staff had been found to screen passengers and luggage. The strike at JKIA follows a labour dispute over contracts and job security between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (Kawu) and Kenya Airways. Kenya Airways CEO Sebastian Mikosz told reporters that 24 flights had been delayed and two diverted to other Kenyan airpo...
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