The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is now being felt in Nairobi, as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) experiences an unexpected spike in air traffic. Following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several countries in the region shut down their airspace, triggering widespread disruption across global flight routes.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 3,400 flights were cancelled on Sunday alone. Major aviation hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha were among those affected, forcing leading airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad — carriers that collectively transport close to 90,000 passengers daily — to suspend operations.
With key Middle Eastern routes deemed unsafe, some airlines redirected their flights to Nairobi, turning JKIA into an alternative stopover for thousands of stranded travelers. The sudden influx led to increased transit activity at the airport. However, access to the terminal was restricted, with airport authorities declining media requests to speak directly to passengers, citing security concerns.
Source: NTV Kenya
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 3,400 flights were cancelled on Sunday alone. Major aviation hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha were among those affected, forcing leading airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad — carriers that collectively transport close to 90,000 passengers daily — to suspend operations.
With key Middle Eastern routes deemed unsafe, some airlines redirected their flights to Nairobi, turning JKIA into an alternative stopover for thousands of stranded travelers. The sudden influx led to increased transit activity at the airport. However, access to the terminal was restricted, with airport authorities declining media requests to speak directly to passengers, citing security concerns.
Source: NTV Kenya