A recent announcement by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has raised concerns about a potential security breach, as it included the arrival and departure times of Air Force One during US President Barack Obama's visit to Kenya.
The KCAA informed airlines and travel firms that the airspace would be closed between 7:45 pm and 8:35 pm on Friday and between 5:05 pm and 5:45 pm on Sunday, indicating the expected arrival and departure times of the US president.
Standard Practice ¶
According to Fox News, it is standard practice for the White House not to publish the 40 to 50-minute window during which Air Force One is scheduled to land or take off.
A pre-flight information bulletin circulated by the KCAA's Aeronautical Information Service Department warned that both JKIA and Wilson Airport would be out of bounds for aircraft flying 20,000 feet and below during the specified hours on both Friday and Sunday.
The bulletin indicated that the airspace around Nairobi, code-named Prohibited Area 24, would be closed up to 20,000 feet, but aviation experts noted that aircraft overflying Nairobi above that height would not be affected by the closure.
Increased Traffic ¶
The bulletin advised travelers to plan to arrive at the airport early to avoid missing their flights due to increased traffic on roads in Nairobi resulting from the closure of some major roads and those leading to JKIA.
Despite this revelation, information regarding Mr. Obama's itinerary during his three-day stay in the country remains closely guarded by both the Kenyan government and the US embassy.
