The Kenya Association of Travel ascents (KATA) has expressed worry about the gridlock at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport following a strike by the Kenya Aviation Authority Workers Union.
In a statement issued to the media and signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Nic Sabula described the incident as a one unbefitting of an international airport and holds the potential to damage the image of JKIA as a regional air transport hub.
Below is the full statement
The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) is greatly concerned by the turn of events at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) occasioned by the strike called by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU).
This morning, Kenyans were treated to ugly scenes of destruction by the striking workers and violent disruptions by the security forces. We wish to reiterate that such acts are unbefitting of an international airport and could potentially hurt the image of JKIA as a regional air transport hub.
We are therefore calling for a speedy resolution of the impasse between the concerned Kenyan Aviation industry players and the workers union to ensure that normalcy returns at the JKIA. We would like to ask both parties to be conscious of the damage a prolonged strike could cause to the country’s aviation sector and urge them to amicably resolve their differences without resorting to unorthodox means.
In the meantime, as the key arrangers of air travel in the country, we request travellers to ensure that they are in constant communication with their travel agents to receive updated information regarding the status of their flights. We are doing everything possible to ensure that we provide the best support we can together with our airline partners.
Owing to this unexpected and unforeseen circumstances, we urge airlines to consider re-bookings re-routings and cancellations without charging penalties to the passengers.
Nicanor Sabula
Chief Executive Officer
About KATA
The Kenya Association of Travel Agents is the national umbrella body for Travel Agents in Kenya, with a growing membership of over 170 Travel Agencies, and is Kenya’s largest and only membership organization for travel.KATA works to enhance and improve the Travel Industry business climate in Kenya by promoting the services of her members to the general public, protecting their rights and assisting them to optimize their businesses.
