Kenya Airways confirms diversion of flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport as fog disrupts JKIA
By Faith Lagat, May 10, 2026Kenya Airways has confirmed the diversion of two regional flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport following dense fog that reduced visibility at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. The disruption affected morning operations at the airline’s main hub.
The airline stated that flight KQ 739 from Lilongwe, Malawi, and flight KQ 709 from Harare, Zimbabwe, were diverted as a safety precaution after pilots encountered low visibility during the approach to the JKIA runway.
In a customer update issued by Corporate Communications, Kenya Airways noted that the decision was taken in line with operational safety procedures.
“Following improvement in weather conditions and visibility in Nairobi, both flights safely returned and landed at JKIA,” the statement dated May 10, 2026, read in part.
The airline indicated that the diversions resulted in minor delays affecting regional routes. It added that it was working to minimise disruption through regular communication updates and alternative travel arrangements for passengers affected by the delays.
Passenger communication and service recovery
Kenya Airways apologised to passengers affected by the disruption and assured continued support throughout the recovery process.
“We sincerely apologise to our guests for the inconvenience caused and appreciate their patience and understanding as we work to restore normal operations,” the airline said. It further reiterated that operational safety remained a priority in its service delivery. “The safety of our guests and crew remains our top priority,” the statement added.
The airline said coordination efforts were ongoing to stabilise its flight schedule following the weather-related interruption.
Recent operational disruptions
The diversion comes a day after another operational incident involving the airline. On May 9, 2026, a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Cape Town experienced a bird strike upon landing at Cape Town International Airport.
The aircraft landed safely at approximately 1:55 p.m. East African Time but sustained damage to the radome, which required technical inspection. The aircraft was subsequently grounded as Aircraft on Ground (AOG), leading to the cancellation of the return flight to Nairobi.
Kenya Airways confirmed that maintenance teams were carrying out assessments and repairs following the incident.