The crisis in Kenya’s aviation sector shows no sign of abating. While the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has announced contingency plans to avoid disruption during a potential strike by the country’s main aviation union starting on August 19, tensions remain high.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union has threatened to strike from Monday in response to a proposed deal with India’s Adani Airports Holdings to develop Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya’s largest airport.
The union’s concerns are mainly about the potential for job losses and the use of non-Kenyan workers, calling the deal an “intentional sale” of the airport.
However, the Kenyan government has made it clear that the airport is not for sale and no final decision has been made on the proposed public-private partnership to upgrade the airport.
In this tense context, discussions are currently underway between the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the management of KAA and the Kenya Aviation Workers Union to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
This situation raises important questions about the future of aviation in Kenya and the balance between the development of airport infrastructure and the protection of workers’ rights. It is essential that the various stakeholders find common ground to ensure the stability of the sector and the respect of the interests of all.
In the meantime, travellers and the entire aviation industry are closely watching the evolution of this crisis which could have significant repercussions on the economy and the image of Kenya as a major aviation hub in East Africa.