KQ explains planes diversion to Mombasa and Kilimanjaro
Technical issues, medical issues, passenger disruption, safety among others may also lead to diversions or emergency landing.
Planes scheduled to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were diverted this morning to the Moi International Airport in Mombasa and Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania due to the heavy fog that had blanketed the city’s skies.
In an update to the press, Kenya Airways confirmed the poor visibility challenge as they added that normal operations have resumed.
It clarified that the diversion was to ensure the safety of the crew and passengers who were on board.
“We wish to inform our customers that due to poor visibility caused by fog this morning, some of the flights scheduled to land at JKIA were diverted to Mombasa and Kilimanjaro. The diversion was a safety measure to ensure the well-being of all on board,” KQ said in the update.
The national carrier added that delays in arrivals and departures for some flights would be experienced as it apologised for the inconveniences.
“We expect some delays for certain flight departures and arrivals today. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our affected guests,” it said.
Different factors may cause diversion of planes or landing at an unplanned destination.
They include poor weather conditions, especially along the route or the destination airport.
Technical issues, medical issues, passenger disruption, safety among others may also lead to diversions or emergency landing.
Besides, some planes may experience problems at the destination airports, which might force the pilot to divert.
For example, there might be a runway closure at the airport, and the approaching plane may have to divert.
The diversion today comes a couple of days after a plane on its way to Nairobi made an emergency landing in Entebbe, Uganda, after it received emergency medical attention, where an elderly passenger died on board.
The plane was from New York and was to land at the JKIA when the crew notified the Kenya Airways Operations Control Centre that the passenger had collapsed.
The crew, supported by three qualified medical professionals who volunteered on board, immediately initiated emergency procedures, including the use of onboard medical equipment in accordance with international aviation medical protocols.
The flight diverted toward Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to expedite urgent medical care.
However, the passenger was pronounced dead by the attending medical professionals at 9:10 hours EAT, before landing.
