Kenya Airways has issued an update on the flight resumption following massive delays of flights caused by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, assuring customers of restoring normalcy and on-time operations.

In a statement by Kenya Airways on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the company confirmed it is in the process of normalizing all the scheduled and on-time operations.

“Further to our earlier update regarding flight disruptions out of JKIA and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) statement on the resumption of full operations, we are pleased to inform our customers that we are in the process of normalizing our scheduled and on-time operations,” Kenya Airways said.

According to Kenya Airways, normal operations will resume within the next 24 hours.

“We anticipate that our normal operations will resume within the next 24 hours. We sincerely regret the inconvenience to our customers. Our teams are currently doing everything possible to minimise the impact on our customers. The safety, security, and comfort of our customers remain our highest priority,” Kenya Airways noted.

Kenya Airways has further called on customers to check their flight status before travelling to the airport, while monitoring official Kenya Airways communication channels for updates.

In addition, the company has requested their customers to explore rebooking options via the Kenya Airways mobile app or website, as needed.

4-hour flight delay

The update came just moments after the company confirmed that passengers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi face flight delays of up to four hours on February 17, 2026.

Worth noting, the disruptions follow problems on February 16, which stemmed from operational issues in air traffic control caused by a strike by aviation workers.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has activated contingency measures to manage the situation. Kenya Airways adjusted its network to cope with the disruptions and is working closely with aviation authorities and airport stakeholders.

A statement from the airline read:

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience and are working closely with the relevant aviation authorities and airport stakeholders to minimise the impact on our customers and maintain safe operations. Our teams are doing everything possible to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of our customers, which remains our highest priority.”

The strike began on February 16, when members of the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) walked out. Workers are demanding higher pay, better conditions, and resolution of a long-standing labour dispute with KCAA. The action has caused widespread delays, flight cancellations, and stranded passengers at JKIA, one of Africa’s busiest airports.

Other airlines, including Precision Air and Jambojet, reported similar problems. Some flights faced extended holding patterns or were diverted to alternative airports.

Kenya Airways has urged passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport. The statement advises:

“Passengers are advised to expect schedule adjustments.”

Travellers can monitor rebooking options via the Kenya Airways mobile app or website. The airline said updates will continue through official communication channels as new information becomes available.