Passengers stranded after KQ cancels night flights

Hundreds of passengers travelling between Nairobi and Mombasa were on Tuesday night stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Moi International Airport, Mombasa after their flights were cancelled.

The passengers who were travelling using Kenya Airways flights were forced to wait until Wednesday morning to board their flights to Nairobi.

Several people also jammed the airport to receive friends and relatives who were scheduled to land at the airport on Tuesday night.

Taxi operators also recorded low sales following the cancellation of flights

Mr Ferdinand Watila, a Kenatco Taxis Limited driver said most taxi drivers had to wait for clients travelling from Nairobi who flew in on Wednesday at 8.30am.

“We camped since Tuesday 7pm because we were waiting for several tourists travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa for their holiday to take them to their respective hotels and the delay has caused us a lot of inconveniences,’ said Mr Watila.

Mr Ali Ibrahimk, one of the local taxi drivers at the airport said Jetlink and Fly 540 flights were the only commercial flights operating that night.

“This is the time we make profits because most of the people are coming to Coast for a holiday, but if flights delay will persist, we shall have a loss since most vehicles have been vehicles for this festive season,” said Mr Ibrahim.

Mr Allan Abuta, one of the passengers who was travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa told the Nation that the flights were suspended because of unknown reason despite lights on the runways having being switched on.