Airport to be closed for one hour for Jamhuri day celebrations

As a result, flights to and from the international airport will be affected and some will be re-schedule.

JKIA will be closed temporarily to allow the Kenyan air force conduct their military drills for the Jamhuri day celebrations, to be held on 12th December.

Kenya airways through its twitter handle on Wednesday announced the closure.

“JKIA airport will be closed between 1120hrs-1220hrs” the national carrier tweeted.

Before later on explaining the reason behind the closure.

“The scheduled JKIA airport closure between 1120hrs-1220hrs is due to Jamhuri fete military drill”

Kenya Airways said the one-hour drill between 11.20am and 12.20pm would affect at least nine flights.

“Schedule changes on: KQ264/265,KQ351.KQ401,KQ412,KQ434,KQ550,KQ654/655” KQ tweeted.

KQ sort to alert its passengers of the changes in their flight time.

“The ones stated will depart a few minutes early or late. Before 1120hrs and after 1220hrs”

Closing of JKIA is line with international practice, an aviation norm done for safety purposes in case the Kenya defense forces may need to use the airport as an alternative ground.

JAMHURI DAY

The Kenya Defence normally entertain the president and the public, during national day celebrations with hair raising stunts in the air, and this year’s 53rd Jamhuri is no exception.

The latest flight disruption comes a day after Kenya Airways technical staff downed their tools on Monday citing poor pay, lack of promotions and unfavourable shift patterns.

A week ago, JKIA runaway was temporally closes after a Somalia aircraft crash-landed on its runway.