THE Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) announced on Friday that it has contingency plans in place to ensure smooth airport operations ahead of a strike planned by the country’s main aviation union, set to begin on August 19. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union, which represents employees at airports and the national carrier Kenya Airways, has threatened industrial action over a proposed deal with India’s Adani Airports Holdings to develop Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The union fears that the deal could lead to job losses and the hiring of non-Kenyan workers, referring to the agreement as the ‘intended sale’ of the country’s largest airport. However, the Kenyan government has clarified that the airport is not for sale and that the deal is still under discussion as a potential public-private partnership aimed at upgrading the key East African travel hub.
KAA stated that discussions are ongoing between the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, KAA management, and the Kenya Aviation Workers Union to reach a peaceful resolution and avoid disruption of airport services.
The aviation union’s concerns and the government’s reassurances highlight the complexities surrounding the future of one of Africa’s busiest airports, as stakeholders work to balance development and job security.
