Scare at JKIA as plane veers off runway

A plane veered off the runway at Kenya's busiest airport as it attempted to land early Wednesday.

As a result, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was closed to traffic following the 3.36am incident involving an Egypt Air flight.

No injuries were immediately reported in the mishap, which left passengers shaken.

Communications official Dominic Ngigi confirmed the incident.

"The runway was closed for safety reasons. Efforts are underway to clear it," Mr Ngigi told nation.co.ke.

Air accident investigators are on the scene to establish the circumstances leading to the incident.

In a statement, Kenya Airways said JKIA had been closed indefinitely and flights diverted.

"All Kenya Airways morning arrivals have been diverted to Mombasa, Entebbe and Dar es Salam," the statement said.

"All departing lights from JKIA Nairobi have been delayed indefinitely."

The airline said its offices in Entebbe, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam "have arranged for special handling of passengers affected by the disruptions".

"We may also experience resultant delays and cancellations as a result of this disruption and appeal to our affected passengers for understanding and patience during this period," the statement said.

Flights diverted to Mombasa international airport includes, KQ311 from Dubai, KQ203 ex Mumbai, KQ101 ex London, KQ466 ex Bujumbura and Kigali, KQ331ex Jeddah, KQ521 ex Dakar and Abidjan, KQ765 from Johannesburg.

Flights diverted to Entebbe international Airport in Uganda includes, KQ542 ex Lagos and Cotonou, KQ321 ex Cairo and Khartoum, KQ511 from Freetown and Accra and KQ117 from Amsterdam.

KQ 221 from New Delhi has been diverted to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salam.

"All the concerned stakeholders at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are working to remove the grounded aircraft to ensure normal operations resume," KQ said.