- On Thursday, October 12, 2023, a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to London Heathrow was diverted to London Stansted Airport due to a security alert.
- The UK security agencies had received a security alert regarding this flight, prompting the diversion.
Investigation and Clearance
- Essex Police in England conducted a thorough inspection of the Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
- Following their investigation, UK authorities found no concerning items on board the aircraft.
- Consequently, the Kenya Airways plane was cleared for resumption of normal operations.
- Stansted Airport, where the flight was diverted, continued its operations without disruptions.
The KQ Security Alert
- Kenya Airways management received a security alert from the UK security agencies on Thursday at approximately 10:30 am.
- The threat was assessed and found to have low credibility after a comprehensive risk assessment.
- The crew on board the flight took necessary security measures, ensuring the safety and security of passengers.
- The security authorities of the Governments of Kenya and the United Kingdom collaborated to address the threat.
Diversion Details and RAF Involvement
- The KQ flight was intercepted by the Royal Air Force (RAF), the UK’s air and space force.
- Stansted Airport, where the flight landed, is designated for handling security scares.
- The KQ plane was safely returned to the airport after investigations found nothing of concern.
- Essex Police confirmed that there was nothing of concern on the diverted flight.
- Stansted Airport remained operational throughout the incident, and the plane was handed back to resume its journey.
- Kenya Airways management was proactive in addressing the security alert, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
