A Nairobi-bound flight departing from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Monday experienced a mechanical issue approximately two hours into its journey. The problem was related to the aircraft’s icing system, a crucial component for safe flight.
Passengers were promptly informed about the issue, and the flight was rerouted back to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport due to the significance of the affected system. The original departure time was scheduled for 12:15 p.m., with an intended arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Kenya at 9:55 p.m.
In addition, reports indicated that the aircraft needed to jettison excess fuel before landing in France because it had taken on too much fuel.
Upon returning to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, further delays ensued as airline personnel worked diligently to resolve the mechanical problems. An official statement from the airline, KLM, read, “Unfortunately, your flight AF814 from Paris (CDG) to Nairobi (NBO) on 16.10.2023 has been delayed. We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. KLM will keep you informed of any updates.”
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the passengers during this incident.
Following the rescheduling, the flight was expected to reach Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday at 4:15 a.m. However, flight radar data shows that the rescheduled flight departed from French airspace on Monday at 9:00 a.m. and landed at JKIA at 6:55 a.m.
This incident occurred shortly after two other Kenyan flights, one headed for the UK and the other for Kenya, encountered separate medical and security emergencies. The first incident, on October 10, involved a UK-bound plane that made an emergency landing in France due to a passenger’s medical complications. Additionally, a UK military jet intercepted a London-bound plane, diverting it to London Stansted Airport over security concerns, although no serious issues were ultimately found on the aircraft.