This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
On June 27, 2019, a technical hitch with the civil aviation navigation system at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) caused a significant disruption in flight operations. The airport's radar system had failed, leaving planes grounded for over two hours.
According to the Kenya Airports Twitter account, the system had been restored, and the airport was working to clear the backlog of flights. The account apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that the system had been restored, and normalcy had been restored at the airport. However, the incident highlighted the importance of reliable navigation systems in ensuring safe air travel.
As per International Aviation regulations, aircraft awaiting landing clearance are given priority over those lined up on the ground for takeoff. The radar system failure at JKIA had put these regulations to the test, with planes being redirected to other airports to avoid potential collisions.
JKIA is the country's sole watch tower, coordinating all flights going out and landing in Nairobi. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining reliable infrastructure in the aviation sector.
