A Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Kigali had to return to the capital after facing unsafe landing conditions caused by poor visibility and deteriorating weather.

In a statement shared on X on Sunday, February 15, 2026, KQ said passengers and crew were prioritised as the airline decided to abort the landing attempt to avoid potential risks.

“Kenya Airways PLC (KQ) confirms that on February 15, 2026, at approximately 09:10 hours (East African Time), KQ 470, on a scheduled operation from Nairobi to Kigali, encountered low visibility and deteriorating weather during the normal approach to land at Kigali International Airport. After two unsuccessful attempts to land, the crew elected to return to Nairobi for the safety of the passengers and crew on board,” the Kenya Airways statement read.

The aircraft safely touched down in Nairobi, ensuring the safety of everyone on board before later continuing its journey to Kigali once conditions improved.

“The aircraft landed safely in Nairobi at 10:39 hours (East African Time). Once the weather in Kigali had cleared, the flight was cleared for departure to Kigali at 12:07 hours (East African Time) and landed safely at 13:31 hours (East African Time),” the Kenya Airways statement added.

The turnback affected the airline’s schedule, delaying another flight from Nairobi to Mauritius. Passengers on the affected flight were kept informed and offered assistance while safety remained the airline’s top priority.

“Air turnbacks are standard safety procedures. This air turnback impacted a delay for KQ270 (Nairobi-Mauritius), which was scheduled to depart at 12:40 hours but is now rescheduled to depart at 16:40 hrs,” Kenya Airways said.

KQ reassured passengers that safety takes precedence over schedules, and that such measures are routine in aviation when weather conditions compromise landing or takeoff operations.

“We have been in contact with the affected customers and are providing the necessary assistance. We sincerely apologise to our guests for the inconvenience and assure our customers that their safety and that of our crew are our highest priorities,” it added.

The airline has said it is committed to prioritising human life over operational timelines, reflecting adherence to international safety standards and procedures, adding that the careful decision ensured that all passengers reached their destinations safely, despite the unavoidable delay caused by unpredictable weather.