On Thursday, October 12, afternoon, authorities in the United Kingdom confirmed that a flight from Nairobi to Heathrow was redirected to London Stansted Airport due to a potential security threat.
This alternate airport is designated for such incidents. Reports from local press indicated that bomb squads were seen rushing to the scene. Essex Police stated on X that they were attending to the incident and that the airport remained open. Kenya Airways, in a statement, acknowledged that their KQ100 flight received an alert regarding a potential security threat. The airline, in collaboration with security authorities from both Kenya and the United Kingdom, conducted a comprehensive risk assessment. The crew and passengers were briefed, and all necessary safety measures were taken to ensure their well-being. According to Flightradar24 data, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departed Nairobi slightly delayed at 9:18 a.m.
Descending from an altitude of 17,000 feet over the English Channel, the aircraft smoothly made its way north along the eastern coast of Kent. Continuing its gradual descent, it then flew over Essex, following the North Sea coast. Finally, at precisely 14:52 local time (16:45 Kenyan time), the aircraft arrived at Stansted and parked at its designated stand. According to Daniel Rees, a reporter from The Gazette, the scene at Stansted was quite intense. Witnesses reported a significant police presence, with bomb disposal units spotted on their way to the airport. One witness shared, “As I was driving towards Colchester after passing Stansted, I noticed bomb disposal cars skillfully manoeuvring through traffic on the A120.”
In a Facebook post, a woman who had been on a flight from Nairobi to London Heathrow detailed her experience. She mentioned that their flight had been diverted to Stansted just 45 minutes before their scheduled landing. Upon arrival, they were met with a multitude of police cars. She wrote, “We’ve been surrounded by police officers, all dressed in black and armed with guns, who are currently conducting identification checks. Surprisingly, the captain has yet to provide any explanation.”
“Kenya Airways PLC (KQ) confirms that on Monday, 9 October 2023, at approximately 14:19hrs, KQ100, operating from Nairobi to London Heathrow, declared a medical emergency after a passenger fell ill,” stated the airline. The airline’s crew promptly administered initial medical aid to the affected passenger, and the pilot made the decision to return to London in order for the passenger to receive further medical attention.
It’s worth noting that this event comes hot on the heels of the recent announcement that King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom have planned a 4-day trip to Kenya towards the end of the month. In December, we will commemorate six decades of freedom from British rule. On Monday, a London-bound KQ flight departing Nairobi ended in an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport on Monday afternoon after the pilot declared emergency mid-air after a passenger suffered a medical emergency.
