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JKIA Strike: Tourism CS Miano calls for a ceasefire between airport staff and KCAA
The aviation strike, which began on February 16, has caused significant flight delays and disruptions at JKIA, affecting both domestic and international travellers. Kenya Airways and multiple international carriers have reported schedule adjustments and extended delays due to air traffic control operational constraints.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has called for the immediate resolution of the ongoing labor dispute between the Kenya Aviation Workers Union and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, which has affected flight operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Speaking at the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, CS Miano acknowledged the critical importance of aviation infrastructure to tourism recovery and national commerce while urging all parties to return to constructive dialogue.
“As we discuss crisis management and resilience at this gathering, we cannot ignore the ongoing challenges facing our aviation sector,” stated CS Miano. “The current state of affairs is causing delays in flight schedules and disrupting the travel experience for thousands of visitors to our country.”
The Cabinet Secretary noted that Kenya’s tourism sector, which supports millions of livelihoods across the country, requires reliable air connectivity to maintain its competitive position in the global market.
“The uninterrupted operation of our aviation infrastructure is vital to traveller safety, national commerce, and the livelihoods of countless Kenyans who depend on tourism. I respectfully urge all parties involved in the air traffic control strike to return to dialogue in good faith and resolve their outstanding issues swiftly,” CS Miano stated.
The Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, being held for the first time on the African continent, has brought together over 400 delegates and 40 expert speakers from across the world to address challenges facing the global tourism industry.
Themed “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation,” the event that runs till February 18, marks a historic milestone as Kenya leads continental discourse on building crisis-proof tourism systems.
Kenya’s selection to host the UN-anchored event demonstrates the country’s commitment to weaving resilience, sustainability, and crisis preparedness into its tourism sector development strategy.
CS Miano concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions that protect both worker rights and the critical infrastructure needed for Kenya’s tourism-dependent economy to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.
The conference is expected to produce the Nairobi Declaration for Tourism Resilience, which will guide future tourism resilience strategies across participating nations.