In London on Thursday, October 12, 2023, a Kenya Airways flight, KQ100, was intercepted by a UK military jet due to a potential security threat.
The Kenya Airways flight, which had departed from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday morning with its destination set for London Heathrow, was diverted to London Stansted Airport after the interception.
Upon receiving an alert of the potential security threat, Kenya Airways (KQ) collaborated with the security authorities of both the Government of Kenya and the United Kingdom to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment. The crew on board were briefed, and all necessary safety and security measures were taken to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew. The aircraft safely landed at Stansted Airport, London, where it underwent security clearance by UK government security personnel, as per the statement released by KQ on their social media platforms.
The incident was first reported by the UK’s Daily Mail, with heavy police presence reported at Stansted Airport. Some UK media outlets also mentioned the presence of a bomb squad.
Flights at Stansted Airport were temporarily held, leading to queues, and there was no official confirmation about flights departing or arriving at that time.
Essex Police confirmed the incident and stated that they were addressing the security concern. Stansted Airport remained open during this period.
Details regarding the ongoing investigations into the security threat have not been disclosed by the authorities.
