The Kenya Airports Authority announced the closure of a runway at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday, June 11, through a post on their social media platform X at 1:47 pm.
In the brief statement, the authority attributed the closure to a faulty plane that landed on the runway earlier on Tuesday.
While confirming the incident, KAA stated that no injuries had been reported and that the removal of the plane from the runway was underway.
The affected passengers were urged to remain calm as the authority proceeded to restore normal services at the airport.
“An aircraft Incident has caused runway closure at JKIA. No injuries have been reported. Removal of the aircraft is underway,” KAA noted in a statement.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and will provide updates shortly,” it added.
The incident means flights will not be able to access one of Africa's largest airports until the wreckage is cleared.
It is not the first time that the JKIA runway has been temporarily closed, in an analogous situation in April last year, KAA closed the runway after a cargo plane aborted taking off.
KAA in a statement noted that the cargo plane developed faults while attempting to take off thus blocking the runway.
Following the incident, the authority advised passengers to consult with their respective airlines for further directions.
"Our top priority is the safety of all passengers and we are working closely with the relevant authorities to resolve this situation as quickly and safely as possible," the statement by KAA in part.
"We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. We advise all passengers to contact their respective airlines for further information on the status of their flights," KAA added.
