Operations at Kenya’s busiest airport the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi have grinded to a halt following the commencement of a workers strike by the unionisable employees of the national carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) and the airports operator Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) at midnight 11th September 2024. According to the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) the strike is in opposition to the intended lease of the airport to India’s Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) for a period of 30 years in a manner the union terms as unlawful. The union has also called for the resignation of KAA’s board of directors for showing incompetence.
Our action is further informed by the declaration by Adani in their impugned Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP) that upon buying off JKIA, they intend to lay off majority of employees, bring in non-kenyans to work in the project and also force the few employees who will survive their purge to accept inferior terms and conditions of service that suits the Indian firm. These facts cut to the core of our members’ terms and conditions of service and they constitute a breach of their employment contracts,” KAWU said in a statement.
According to the workers they shall resume work once and only when:
- The Adani Airport Holdings deal is abandoned in its entirelity and their unlawful proposal nullified and discarded all together
- The entire board of KAA resigns within the notice period provided of seven days
- Senior KAA and KQ managers named in the demand letters and who have directly or indirectly been involved in the unlawful and Adani deal and in other acts of impunity and disrespect of the rule of the law resign
- In a statement released by KAA through acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye this morning say the authority is engaging relevant parties to normalize operations and that minimal operations had resumed. Passengers have been encouraged to confirm flight status with their respective airlines.
In a statement released by KAA through acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye this morning say the authority is engaging relevant parties to normalize operations and that minimal operations had resumed. Passengers have been encouraged to confirm flight status with their respective airlines.
On its part Kenya Airways has alerted its passengers that it expects some delays and cancellations for both departing and arriving passengers following the industrial strike.
Customer Update pic.twitter.com/3quV7b7Oce
— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) September 11, 2024
#TravelUpdates pic.twitter.com/o8UzkLqJVE
— Uganda Airlines (@UG_Airlines) September 11, 2024
Delays have also been reported at Kenya’s second largest airport the Moi International Airport in Mombasa as staff from their airport joined their colleagues in opposition to the Adani deal.
AAHL JKIA Agreement Overview
The proposed agreement between Adani Group and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) involves a 30-year concession for Adani to manage, operate, and upgrade Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Key highlights of the deal include:
- Investment Commitment: Adani Group pledged to invest KSh 238 billion (approx. USD 1.6 billion) to modernize and expand JKIA, with plans to elevate its facilities to meet international standards. This includes upgrading terminals and runways to increase
- Concession Details: Under the agreement, Adani would take over the daily management of JKIA, including operations and commercial aspects, for a 30-year period. This deal mirrors other global airport privatizations where private entities manage airports for extended periods in exchange for investment
- Public Opposition and Legal Challenges: The deal has faced significant resistance from the public, workers’ unions, and civil society groups. Concerns include transparency, potential job losses, and the strategic implications of handing over a major national asset to a foreign company. Legal actions have led to a temporary court halt, with further judicial reviews underway .
- Government’s Position: The Kenyan government supports the agreement, citing the need to modernize JKIA to compete with other regional hubs, such as those in Ethiopia and Rwanda. Proponents argue that Adani’s investment is crucial to keep JKIA competitive and attract more international business
Overall, while the agreement promises significant upgrades to JKIA, it has sparked heated debate around its transparency, long-term consequences, and public interest.
AAHL JKIA deal contention
- Transparency and Secrecy: Critics argue that the deal was shrouded in secrecy, with key documents withheld from the public. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about governance and accountability, especially since the agreement was first revealed by a whistleblower
- Privatization of a Strategic Asset: The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) filed a judicial review to block the deal, citing concerns over leasing such a vital national asset to a private foreign entity. They argue that this could compromise public interests and national security
- Worker Opposition: Airport workers and unions have voiced opposition to the deal, fearing job losses and potential exploitation under private management. They also raised concerns about the prioritization of commercial projects like malls over essential infrastructure, such as runways and terminals
- Financial and Strategic Concerns: Some stakeholders argue that the existing infrastructure cannot be refurbished to meet future demands, calling instead for a completely new facility to be built. They fear that refurbishing may not provide value for for taxpayers’ money and could lead to long-term inefficiencies
Key facts about Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) regarding passenger numbers, cargo, its contribution to Kenya’s GDP, and how it compares with other top African airports:
- Passenger Numbers
- Annual Passengers: JKIA serves over 7 million passengers annually, with its capacity increasing after the recent expansions. The airport has seen steady growth in passenger numbers as one of East Africa’s main travel hubs.
- Growth Projections: By 2030, projections estimate JKIA’s annual capacity to handle up to 20 million passengers if the planned modernization projects are completed(
- Cargo Handling
- Annual Cargo: JKIA handles over 330,000 tons of cargo annually, making it one of Africa’s busiest airports for freight, particularly for perishable goods such as flowers and produce. This ranks JKIA among the top in Africa for cargo transport(
- Cargo Hub: It serves as a major cargo hub for East Africa, linking regional markets with global destinations, particularly in Europe and Asia.
- Contribution to Kenya’s GDP
- Aviation Sector Contribution: The aviation industry in Kenya, with JKIA at the forefront, contributes approximately 5.1% of the country’s GDP. This accounts for over USD 3.2 billion, with JKIA playing a critical role in driving tourism, trade, and employment
- Employment: The airport indirectly supports over 250,000 jobs in various sectors including logistics, tourism, and services.
- Top African Airports Comparison
- JKIA ranks among Africa’s top airports alongside:
- O. R. Tambo International Airport (South Africa): The busiest airport in Africa in terms of passengers and flights.
- Cairo International Airport (Egypt): Another major hub with high passenger and cargo volumes.
- Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Ethiopia): A rising star, especially in terms of connectivity and hub status for Ethiopian Airlines.
- Cape Town International Airport (South Africa): Known for its efficiency and handling of international travelers(