Ruth Haines
Kenya's main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), was closed in September 2024 when workers went on strike in protest of a planned takeover by an Indian business group, the Adani Group. The strike caused hundreds of passengers to be stranded at the airport, with flights delayed and cancelled. The airport was set to resume operations by midnight on Thursday of that week. Previously, in 2013, the airport had struggled to reopen after a devastating fire. In addition, international flights to Kenya were halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a phased reopening of the country announced in July 2020.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of reopening | Midnight on Thursday |
| Airports affected | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi |
| Reason for closure | Strike action by airport workers |
| Reason for strike | Protest against a planned takeover by the Adani Group |
| Impact | Hundreds of passengers stranded, delayed and cancelled flights |
| Response | Union leaders agreed to return to work after assurances that the deal with Adani would not be finalised without their approval |
| Future plans | A makeshift terminal will be built to handle international passengers |
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What You'll Learn
Reopening of Kenyan airports after the COVID-19 pandemic
The reopening of Kenyan airports after the COVID-19 pandemic has been a gradual process, with the country cautiously resuming domestic and international air travel while implementing strict safety measures.
In July 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a phased reopening of the nation, recognising the importance of balancing economic recovery and public health concerns. This plan included the resumption of domestic flights on July 15 and the restart of international air travel on August 1. The decision was influenced by expert recommendations, with some emphasising the interdependence of economic and health crises and the potential benefits of reopening with proper protocols. However, it's important to note that the medical scientists and researchers advocated for a more cautious approach, recommending reopening only after meeting specific health criteria.
To ensure the safety of travellers, Kenyan authorities implemented several measures at the airports. These included compulsory facemasks, social distancing through floor markers in airport lounges, and designated zones for boarding. The resumption of flights was conditional, with President Kenyatta closely monitoring the situation and urging citizens to abide by social distancing guidelines. He stated that the government would be studying interaction patterns and the spread of the disease over the following 21 days, and if the situation worsened, they would revert to a lockdown.
The phased reopening of Kenyan airports faced challenges, including a devastating blaze at the main airport. The fire caused significant damage to the international arrivals and departures terminals, impacting operations and resulting in flight cancellations for several international airlines. Authorities worked towards resuming full operations within a few days, utilising makeshift terminals to accommodate passengers. The fire also highlighted the airport's capacity issues, as it was already operating beyond its capacity before the incident.
The reopening of Kenyan airports during the COVID-19 pandemic involved a delicate balance between economic recovery and public health. By implementing safety protocols, a phased approach, and adapting to challenges, Kenyan authorities gradually resumed air travel while prioritising the well-being of their citizens. The process underscored the complexities faced by nations in their efforts to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
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JKIA strike over Adani Group takeover
There is no indication of when airports in Kenya will reopen as the country's main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), is currently experiencing disruptions due to a strike by airport workers. The strike, which began in the early hours of Wednesday, September 11, 2024, has left hundreds of passengers stranded at JKIA with delayed and cancelled flights.
The strike by airport workers is in response to plans by the Kenyan government to lease JKIA to the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate, for 30 years. The deal is expected to involve a $1.85 billion (£1.41 billion) investment from the Adani Group in exchange for the lease. The proposed investment would go towards building a new runway and improving the passenger terminal at JKIA.
The Kenya Aviation Workers' Union (KAWU) has been vocal in its opposition to the deal, arguing that it is opaque and could lead to job losses for local workers in favour of foreign labour. They have also criticised the lack of transparency and disclosure of the deal's details by the government. In addition, KAWU claims that the Adani Group has engaged in corrupt practices and benefited from its close relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an allegation the group denies.
The strike caused significant disruption at JKIA, with passengers queuing outside the airport and experiencing delays and cancellations. The situation was described as "chaotic," with affected travellers expressing frustration over the lack of information and updates. The strike also impacted the Zimbabwe men's football team, who were left stranded at the airport after a game in Uganda, awaiting information on their onward flight to Harare.
Union leaders agreed to end the strike after receiving assurances from the government that the deal with the Adani Group would not be finalised without their approval. Normal operations at JKIA were expected to resume shortly after the strike ended.
The Adani Group takeover of JKIA has been a controversial topic in Kenya, with the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission also criticising the plans and filing a challenge in the High Court. The Court halted the deal to allow for a judicial review, but a final decision date has not yet been set.
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Devastating fire causes disruptions at Kenya's main airport
On 7 August 2013, a devastating fire caused severe disruptions at Kenya's main airport, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. The fire broke out inside the main terminal building, destroying two of the three units contained within. While no one was killed, two people were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries, and one individual was treated for smoke inhalation. The fire severely impacted flight operations, with incoming flights diverted to Uganda, Tanzania, and other airports within Kenya.
Emergency response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross and the airport's fire team, were swift to act, containing the blaze and ensuring the safety of all passengers and staff. Despite their efforts, the fire caused significant damage to the airport's infrastructure. The international arrival and departure units were completely destroyed, and the building's roof collapsed, hindering the initial efforts to extinguish the fire.
The cause of the fire was later determined to be an electrical fault in a distribution board. This incident marked a significant disruption to travel in and out of Kenya, impacting airlines such as Kenya Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airways, British Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines.
In a separate incident in September 2024, JKIA was again the subject of disruption when workers went on strike in protest of a planned takeover by the Indian business conglomerate Adani Group. The strike caused flight delays and cancellations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and highlighting the importance of stable operations at Kenya's main international gateway.
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Kenyan Airways struggles amid the pandemic
Kenya Airways, also known as KQ, has been struggling to stay afloat amid financial losses and growing debt. The airline's woes began before the pandemic but were exacerbated as passenger numbers and revenues dried up due to COVID-19.
In June 2021, Kenya Airways informed its workers that there would be a delay in their June salaries, citing challenges in meeting the demands of its workforce due to a slump in global travel. The airline's total debt amounted to $846 million at the end of 2020 and is believed to have increased significantly since then. In January 2021, the airline implemented pay cuts of up to 30% for its staff, highlighting the severity of the financial challenges faced by the carrier.
To address its financial woes, Kenya Airways turned to the Kenyan government for support. In February 2022, the government announced a $176 million bailout for the airline, abandoning its previous plans to nationalize the struggling carrier. The government's aid is intended to provide a lifeline to Kenya Airways as it battles to stay operational.
The pandemic's impact on the aviation industry has been devastating, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicting that global air travel would not recover from the COVID-19 crisis until 2024. Kenya Airways is not alone in its struggles, as the industry grapples with restricted services, plummeting revenues, and travel bans. The airline is working with consultancy firms to restructure its debt, estimated to cost over $1 billion, and overhaul its business model to minimize the burden on the state.
As Kenya Airways navigates turbulent times, it remains to be seen whether the government's financial injection and restructuring efforts will be enough to keep the airline in the sky.
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Experts divided over Kenya's reopening
In 2020, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a phased reopening of the nation, including the resumption of domestic flights and international air travel. This decision was made after consulting expert recommendations. However, experts were divided over Kenya's reopening, with one group prioritizing the economy and the other focusing on meeting irreducible minimums before reopening.
The first group of experts argued that the COVID-19 crisis was not just a health crisis but also an economic one. They believed that by reopening the country and addressing the economic aspects, the health crisis would become more manageable, especially with the necessary protocols in place. This decision was influenced by the ailing state of Kenya's economy and the need to facilitate the flow of travellers into the country.
On the other hand, medical scientists and researchers expressed a contrary opinion. They advocated for a more cautious approach, recommending that the country should only reopen after meeting specific irreducible minimums. Their stance prioritized the health and safety of citizens, ensuring that the spread of the disease was controlled before resuming international travel.
The Kenyan government's decision to reopen was not without conditions. President Kenyatta emphasized that the next 21 days would be crucial for monitoring the situation. He stated that the government would closely study the patterns of interactions and the spread of the disease. Additionally, he urged citizens to abide by the laws and social distancing measures in place to prevent a reversal of the phased reopening.
The reopening of Kenya's main airport also faced challenges due to a devastating blaze that caused considerable damage to the international arrivals and departures terminals. The fire put pressure on the builders to fast-track the construction of a new international arrivals terminal, with the airport already operating beyond its capacity. The situation highlighted the importance of efficient emergency response and coordination among authorities.
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Frequently asked questions
Kenya's main airport was set to resume full operations by midnight on Thursday after battling to reopen following a devastating blaze.
In July 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a phased reopening of the nation, including the resumption of domestic flights on July 15th and international air travel on August 1st.
To facilitate social distancing, airport lounges had floor markers, and passengers were required to wear masks and board in specific zones.
In addition to the international arrivals building, there was considerable damage to the international departures terminal. A Kenya Airports Authority official said the new terminal would not be ready for another year.
