Sources in Kenya Airways say a strike by pilots is expected to start from midnight local time, grounding flights, especially at the main airport in the capital, Nairobi.
The pilots are demanding that the airline resumes contributions to their retirement fund which were stopped during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
The airline however says it is financially strained and unable to resume the contributions until the middle of next year.
Kenya Airways has been reporting financial losses for the better part of the last decade and often depends on financial bailouts from its largest shareholder – the government.
The airline has said it will lose $2.5m (£2.2m) per day if its pilots strike.
The pilots, through the association representing them, gave a notice of their plan to strike two weeks ago.
The two parties have been trading accusations, with the association claiming victimisation of unionised pilots by the management of Kenya Airways.
The airline says that the pilots’ association has snubbed invitations to negotiate their demands.