The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has clarified that an emergency situation reported at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday was part of a planned full-scale emergency response exercise and not an actual aircraft accident.
The clarification came after initial statements from both KAA and the Kenya Red Cross sparked concern among members of the public, with reports suggesting that an aircraft crash landing had occurred at Kenya’s busiest airport.
Earlier, KAA announced that it was responding to an emergency situation at JKIA, stating that emergency response teams had been activated in line with established aviation emergency procedures.
“KAA is currently responding to an emergency situation at JKIA. Emergency response teams and agencies have been activated and are managing the situation in accordance with established emergency procedures. Further updates as more information becomes available,” the authority said in its initial statement.
Shortly afterwards, the Kenya Red Cross also reported that an aircraft incident involving a crash landing had been reported at the airport and that first responders were heading to the scene to assist with rescue operations.
“An aircraft incident involving a crash landing has been reported at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Kenya Red Cross first responders are en route to the scene to support ongoing rescue operations, alongside Port Health Services and EMS Kenya ambulance services,” the agency stated.
The reports quickly generated concern and speculation among the public, given JKIA’s status as the country’s main international gateway.
However, both organisations later clarified that the incident was a simulation exercise designed to test the effectiveness of emergency response systems and inter-agency coordination in the event of a real aviation emergency.
In a subsequent statement, KAA confirmed that the exercise had been successfully completed and that airport operations remained unaffected.
“The emergency situation earlier reported at JKIA was a simulated scenario conducted as part of a planned Full-Scale Emergency Exercise. The drill has been successfully concluded. Normal airport operations continue. We thank all stakeholders for their cooperation,” KAA said.
The Kenya Red Cross also issued a clarification, assuring the public that there was no actual emergency at the airport.
“The situation at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) relates to a scheduled emergency response simulation exercise. There is no real emergency. Operations at the airport are normal,” the agency stated.
According to KAA, the full-scale exercise was aimed at evaluating the airport’s emergency preparedness and assessing how different agencies coordinate during aviation-related incidents.
The drill simulated an aircraft crash landing scenario and involved multiple stakeholders, including emergency responders, health officials, ambulance services, airport personnel and other agencies responsible for disaster management and aviation safety.
KAA noted that such exercises form part of routine safety measures required to ensure preparedness and a rapid response in the event of a real emergency.
The authority further confirmed that normal airport operations continued throughout the exercise, with no disruptions reported to passenger services, airport activities or flight schedules.
The successful completion of the drill is expected to strengthen emergency response readiness and improve coordination among agencies tasked with handling aviation emergencies in Kenya.
