KQ Flight To Kigali Turns Back After Failed Landing Attempts
The disruption affected onward connections, including KQ270 from Nairobi to Mauritius, which was rescheduled from 12:40pm to 4:40pm following the delay.
By Our Correspondent
Kenya Airways turned back a Nairobi to Kigali flight on Sunday morning after pilots encountered low visibility during approach into the Rwandan capital.
Flight KQ470 had departed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 9:10am East African Time and was nearing Kigali when weather conditions deteriorated sharply.
According to the airline, the crew made two attempts to land at Kigali International Airport before opting to return to Nairobi as a precaution.
The aircraft touched down safely in Nairobi at 10:39am, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew members on board.
Once weather conditions improved in Kigali, the flight was cleared for departure from Nairobi at 12:07pm and later landed without incident.
Kenya Airways said the decision to turn back was guided by standard safety protocols applied when visibility falls below operational minima.
“Safety remains our highest priority, and our crew acted in full compliance with established aviation procedure,” a KQ spokesperson stated.
The airline added that air turnbacks are routine safety measures designed to manage adverse weather and protect passengers and aircraft.
The disruption affected onward connections, including KQ270 from Nairobi to Mauritius, which was rescheduled from 12:40pm to 4:40pm following the delay.
Passengers were informed of the changes and provided assistance at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as operations teams reorganised the affected schedules.
Aviation analysts note that Kigali International Airport is susceptible to morning fog and shifting cloud cover, particularly during transitional weather periods.
Pilots must maintain prescribed visual references before landing, and when those references are lost, diversion or return becomes the safest option.
“Two missed approaches indicate visibility was below acceptable thresholds, and the crew had little alternative,” a senior captain familiar with the route said.
Industry data shows weather remains one of the leading causes of short haul diversions across East Africa, especially during early morning operations.
Kenya Airways has in recent months emphasised operational reliability as it rebuilds its network and seeks to improve on time performance.
Sunday’s incident underscores the delicate balance airlines maintain between schedule integrity and uncompromising adherence to safety standards in unpredictable regional weather.
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