Jambojet warns of further delays as it clears strike backlog

Regional carrier Jambojet is warning passengers to brace for continued delays on Kenyan domestic and regional routes as the airline works to clear a substantial backlog of flights created by a recent air traffic control workers’ strike.

Backlog persists despite resumption of operations

Jambojet has resumed scheduled services after a two-day disruption linked to industrial action by air traffic control staff across Kenya, but the carrier is advising travellers that operations will not normalise immediately. Publicly available statements indicate the airline expects some delays to persist as it sequences stranded passengers and aircraft back into its timetable.

According to published coverage, Jambojet operated just two of 55 scheduled flights by late morning on Monday, August 31, as a go-slow by air traffic controllers sharply limited movements at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and other key airports. That collapse in throughput created a backlog that the airline is now attempting to unwind as controllers return to work.

Reports indicate that the carrier aims to restore normal scheduled operations around Wednesday, September 2, but the pace of recovery will depend on airspace capacity and how quickly airport operations stabilise. Airlines are balancing aircraft rotations, crew duty limits and passenger re-accommodation, all of which can prolong knock-on delays even after a strike ends.

Air traffic control dispute ripples across Kenyan network

The disruption stems from industrial action by members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, who staged a go-slow and strike affecting air traffic control services at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and several other airports. Reuters and regional outlets report that thousands of travellers were stranded as delays extended into a second day, with some flights cancelled and others held on the ground for hours.

The union’s grievances include stalled collective bargaining agreement talks with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and broader concerns about working conditions and cooperation with aviation agencies. A return-to-work agreement reached with government authorities early Tuesday paved the way for controllers to resume normal duties, but airlines now face the slower task of rebalancing schedules.

Kenya Airways, Jambojet’s parent company and the main hub carrier at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, has separately reported delays stretching beyond six hours at points during the disruption and has warned customers of continued schedule changes as the backlog is addressed. The combined effect on Kenya’s domestic and regional network has been significant, particularly on high-frequency routes served by Jambojet.

Jambojet distances staff from strike action

In its public updates, Jambojet has taken pains to emphasise that its flight crews, ground teams and customer support staff remained on duty throughout the disruption and did not participate in the strike or any go-slow. The carrier has stated that its teams were fully operational and ready to operate flights whenever air traffic control clearances were available.

The airline has also highlighted that it does not have a recognition agreement with the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, and that the union therefore does not formally represent Jambojet employees. The question of union recognition at the low-cost carrier is now expected to be addressed through legal channels, according to local reporting on the return-to-work deal.

By underlining the distinction between its workforce and the air traffic control dispute, Jambojet appears intent on reassuring passengers and investors that the operational challenges were external to the airline and linked to broader aviation-sector negotiations rather than internal labour unrest.

Free rebooking and customer support measures

To manage the fallout for affected travellers, Jambojet has announced that passengers whose flights were disrupted during the strike period can rebook without additional charges. Published updates describe a policy allowing changes to travel dates at no extra cost, aimed at giving customers flexibility as schedules are rebuilt.

The carrier has indicated that it is providing regular status notifications via SMS and email, while call centres remain available around the clock to respond to inquiries. Travellers are being encouraged to monitor their booking details closely and to verify departure times before heading to the airport, given that departure slots may continue to shift as operations recover.

Industry observers note that such measures are becoming standard practice in the wake of large-scale operational disruptions, as airlines seek to balance revenue protection with maintaining customer confidence. For Jambojet, whose business model depends on frequent short-haul flying, quickly restoring trust on key domestic routes will be essential.

Implications for travellers and Kenya’s aviation sector

The episode underscores the vulnerability of Kenya’s aviation system to labour disputes in critical operational roles. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport functions as a regional hub for both Kenya Airways and Jambojet, and reduced air traffic control capacity can have cascading effects across East and Central Africa.

Travel advisories published in recent days have urged passengers transiting through Nairobi to allow additional time for connections and to remain prepared for itinerary changes while the backlog is cleared. Tour operators and corporate travel planners have similarly been monitoring developments closely, given Nairobi’s role as a gateway for regional business travel and tourism.

While the resumption of normal air traffic control services should gradually stabilise operations, observers point out that the underlying labour issues highlighted by the strike remain under negotiation. The outcome of talks between the aviation workers’ union, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders may influence the risk of further disruptions, even as airlines like Jambojet work to demonstrate operational resilience.

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