Kenyan aviation workers strike over planned airport leasing to Indian company

By Xinhua Published: Sep 12, 2024 10:28 AM

Passengers are stranded following a strike by aviation workers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sept. 11, 2024. Kenyan aviation workers have paralyzed flight operations at the country's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, over the planned leasing of the airport to an Indian company. The strike by the Kenya Airports Authority workers started on Tuesday night and has delayed several flights. (Photo: Xinhua)

Kenyan aviation workers have paralyzed flight operations at the country's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, over the planned leasing of the airport to an Indian company.

The strike by the Kenya Airports Authority workers started on Tuesday night and has delayed several flights.

Long queues of stranded passengers could be seen at the airport while police clashed with protesting workers.

"Kenya Airways would like to inform its clients that due to the action by some JKIA staff, there have been delays and possible cancellations of certain flights," Kenya Airways, the national carrier, said in a statement.

According to a proposed deal, Adani Group, an Indian company, will take over operations at the East Africa's busiest airport under a Public Private Partnership.

Under the proposed 30-year, 1.85 billion U.S.-dollar deal, Adani Group plans to upgrade the airport, including building a second runway and a new passenger terminal.

The Indian firm is also expected to renovate and refurbish existing airport facilities.

However, aviation workers, including human rights organizations and other professional groups, have argued that the deal does not benefit Kenyans and risks their jobs.

Kenyan President William Ruto has in the past defended the planned deal despite protests from the workers.

According to official data, JKIA, which has a designed capacity to process 35 aircraft per hour, controls 80 percent of Kenya's network passengers and 90 percent of cargo businesses.