Jomo Kenyatta International Airport runway has been closed after an aircraft developed a mechanical hitch.
Officials have confirmed to the Star that flight departures and arrivals were affected with some diverted.
All Landing planes are being diverted to Mombasa and Dar es Salaam Tanzania as officials work to clear the Fly540 plane from the runway.
“All landing planes being diverted to Mombasa as officials work to clear the Fly540 plane from the runway,” said officials aware of the incident.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director-General Gilbert Kibe said flight departures and arrivals were affected.
“Technicians are working on the issue to clear it,” he said.
Kenya Airports Authority said the closure of the runway was temporary.
“This is to confirm that the runway at JKIA is temporarily closed as crews respond to safely remove a disabled aircraft. Takeoffs and landings are on hold. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airline for flight status updates.”
Only small aircraft were able to take off from runway 24.
The operations were, however, restored around 9:20 pm paving way for normalcy.
"Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) runway has been cleared and opened. Normal operations have resumed. Passengers are encouraged to contact their respective airlines for their flight status," Kenya Airports Authority said.
The incident had caused much agony for travellers, especially those connecting to other destinations.
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