No injuries reported as aircraft with 50 passengers veers off taxiway at JKIA
No injuries reported as aircraft with 50 passengers veers off taxiway at JKIA
Authorities are investigating an incident where an aircraft incident involving a domestic flight occurred on Monday afternoon at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), with all passengers and crew safely accounted for, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has confirmed.
In a statement on December 29, KAA said the aircraft, which was arriving in Nairobi from Elwak airstrip in Mandera County, veered off Taxiway Echo shortly after landing at the country’s busiest airport.
The flight was carrying 50 passengers at the time of the incident.
“Kenya Airports Authority wishes to inform the public of an aircraft incident that occurred this afternoon at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” the statement read.
According to the authority, emergency response teams were immediately activated in line with established airport safety procedures.
KAA emphasized that the situation was swiftly brought under control and that there were no injuries reported.
“All passengers and crew were safely accounted for,” the authority said.
KAA further assured travelers and the general public that airport operations were not disrupted by the incident and continued as normal despite the temporary presence of the aircraft off the taxiway.
“Airport emergency response teams have been activated in line with established procedures,” the statement noted, adding that, “Airport operations remain normal.”
The authority said it is working closely with relevant aviation agencies to ensure the safe removal of the aircraft from the affected area, as investigations into the incident continue.
“The Authority is working closely with the relevant aviation agencies to ensure the safe removal of the aircraft,” KAA said.
While KAA did not disclose the cause of the incident, aviation sources note that veering off taxiways can occur due to a range of factors, including weather conditions, mechanical issues, or human error.
Such incidents are typically subject to standard investigations by aviation safety regulators.
In its statement, KAA reiterated its commitment to maintaining high safety and operational standards across all airports under its management.
“Kenya Airports Authority reassures the public of its continued commitment to the safety, security, and efficiency of airport operations,” the statement said.
JKIA is East Africa’s largest aviation hub, handling millions of passengers annually and serving as a key gateway for regional and international travel.
The incident comes amid heightened focus on aviation safety as passenger traffic increases during the holiday travel period.