KQ plane from India runs out of fuel, makes emergency landing at Moi International Airport

The Kenya Airways plane that had to make an emergency landing at Moi International Airport in Mombasa on October 20, 2014. PHOTO | KENYA RED CROSS 

In Summary

• The plane was set to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport but had to be diverted to Mombasa.
• The aircraft developed low fuel midair with its reserves unable to cover the Nairobi distance so it was diverted here to refuel.

By DANIEL TSUMA NYASSY
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A Kenya Airways plane with 38 passengers on board from Delhi, India, had to make an emergency landing at Moi International Airport in Mombasa on Monday.

The plane was set to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport but had to be diverted to Mombasa.

The initial explanation given was that the aircraft had run out of fuel.

The airline's incoming Chief Executive however explained in a subsequent statement that the plane had developed a mechanical fault in the fuel control system mid-air.

"The aircraft developed a mechanical fault in the fuel control system and although it had enough fuel, it needed to land at the nearest alternate airport.

"This was also a precautionary measure as the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport airspace was closed for Mashujaa day celebrations at the time it was to land in Nairobi," a statement by Mr . Mbuvi Ngunze said.

The Boeing 737- 700 carrying 38 passengers was due to arrive in Nairobi at 12.20pm.

Moi International Airport manager Mr Yatich Kangogo had earlier said the plane landed safely in Mombasa at 12.07 pm.

He said the plane had departed from Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi, India, before it run out of fuel. He said it was diverted to Mombasa as it is nearer than JKIA.

"The aircraft developed low fuel mid-air, with its reserves unable to cover the Nairobi distance, so it was diverted here to refuel," Mr Kangogo said.

He said all the passengers on board the KQ Boeing 737-800 plane were safe.