NAIROBI, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan airport authorities said Wednesday efforts are underway to ensure normal operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) due to an illegal strike by a section of workers.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) confirmed that its experiencing some operational disruptions at the JKIA as the strike called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) resulted in disruptions of flight services to and from the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
"We are currently taking measures to ensure normalcy returns as soon as possible and that service interruptions are minimized," KAA said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
"We advise all passengers using JKIA to get in touch with their respective airlines to confirm their travel arrangements," it added.
The police on Wednesday engaged the striking workers in running battles and lobbed teargas canisters to disperse them.
Some of the Kenya Airways workers were seriously injured while KAWU secretary-general Moses Ndiema was arrested for taking part in illegal strike.
The grounded JKIA flights have also affected operations at airports in the coastal city of Mombasa, lakeside city of Kisumu and in Eldoret in northwest Kenya.
Several passengers are stranded at the airport after their flights were delayed or rescheduled, with some cancelling their engagements abroad.
KAA said it's committed to ensuring that normalcy returns to all its airports as soon as possible and will keep the public informed of any further developments.
The industrial action follows a strike notice issued on Feb. 27 by the union, where the workers opposed the handover of management of the airport to Kenya Airways.
The airline seeks to enter into a concession agreement with the Kenya Airports Authority to operate and maintain the airport. The move has since been halted by Parliament.
KAWU is accusing the management of Kenya Airways of financial wastage and paying hefty salaries to senior managers and consultants.
Both Kenya Airways and KAA have dismissed the strike as illegal following the issuance of an order of injunction by the Employment and Labour Relations court on Tuesday.
Kenya Airways warned the public to expect disruptions on flights.
"Customers on flights after 11 am are advised not to come to the airport until further communication is shared. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused," said the carrier.
