JKIA disruption persists as fresh produce sector demands KAA MD’s Mr. Moses Wekesa resignation
Flight and cargo operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) remain disrupted, with flights reportedly facing delays of three to five hours or more, while some foreign carriers have cancelled inbound operations.
The latest information reaching HortiNews from industry sources indicates that flights already on the ground, as well as some incoming flights, are departing, but with significant delays.
Despite the delays, the flights are reportedly continuing to uplift cargo as they leave Nairobi.
Cargo booked on direct flights to its final destinations is also reportedly arriving, although later than scheduled. The bigger challenge is affecting shipments travelling on non-direct routes, with cargo missing onward connections at transit airports and remaining in transit as exporters await the next available connection.
The situation has also been compounded by reports of cancellations by a number of foreign carriers. Industry sources indicate that some airlines have cancelled inbound operations because their aircraft have rotation schedules to follow across their networks.
Consequently, cargo booked on some of the affected flights is reportedly still at JKIA, awaiting alternative flight arrangements.
The continuing disruption has now triggered a strong reaction from the fresh produce industry, with Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC Kenya) President and CEO Okisegere Ojepat calling for the immediate resignation of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director.
In a statement addressing the KAA Managing Director, Ojepat said:
“Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director, Mr. Moses Wekesa
We demand your immediate resignation due to the severe disruptions and significant financial losses at the JKIA Cargo business under your leadership. If you do not step down, we will actively pursue your formal removal from the office.”
The demand comes as exporters continue to grapple with the effects of disrupted airfreight operations, particularly for highly perishable products such as flowers, fresh vegetables and other horticultural produce.
For cargo travelling through connecting airports, missed onward flights are creating additional delays, while cancelled inbound services are leaving some shipments at JKIA without an immediate flight option.
The situation is creating concern across the horticultural value chain because exporters rely on predictable airfreight schedules to deliver produce to international markets within strict timelines.
Extended delays can affect product quality, delivery commitments and the financial returns of exporters, while also creating additional handling, storage and logistics costs.
The latest reports therefore indicate that JKIA cargo operations remain far from normal, despite some flights continuing to operate and uplift cargo.
The industry is now calling for urgent action to address the disruption and ensure that cargo already at the airport, as well as shipments caught in transit, can be moved to their destinations as quickly as possible.
HortiNews will continue to monitor the situation and seek responses from the Kenya Airports Authority, airlines and other relevant stakeholders as the disruption continues.
By the time of publication, Kenya aviation workers and the government were locked in talks aimed at resolving the ongoing situation and restoring normal operations at JKIA. The outcome of the discussions was not yet clear at the time of going to press.
HortiNews will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from industry stakeholders.