A looming strike that threatened to disrupt operations at Kenya’s major airports has been called off following successful negotiations between the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU).

The strike, which was set to begin this week following a seven-day notice issued on September 23, was officially withdrawn Wednesday October 1 after what stakeholders described as “constructive and collaborative deliberations.”

In a statement released on Tuesday, KAA confirmed that the labour dispute had been resolved amicably after several rounds of discussions involving the union, the Authority, and key government ministries.

“This positive outcome is a result of several consultations and productive discussions held between the Kenya Airports Authority, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, and the relevant Government Ministries,” the statement read.

The resolution was made possible with the involvement of the KAA Board of Directors, chaired by Caleb Kositany, alongside officials from the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, who played a facilitative role in the talks.

KAA Acting Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Mohamud Gedi, expressed appreciation for the spirit of cooperation shown during the negotiations.

“We thank KAWU for their constructive engagement throughout the process. Passengers, airlines, and partners can be assured of our commitment to excellent customer experience across all KAA-managed airports,” said Dr. Gedi.

The labour standoff had raised concerns over potential disruptions to domestic and international travel, especially with the high traffic expected during the upcoming holiday season.

With the strike now called off, normal operations are expected to continue without interruption. The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to upholding safety, security, and service excellence across its network of airports.