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Kenya Airways announces flight disruptions, says two Dreamliners grounded

Kenya Airways planes are seen as the Jomo Kenyatta international Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on August 1, 2020. (Photo: Monicah Mwangi/Reuters)

By Lucy Mumbi | Sunday, May 19, 2024

The disruptions resulted from an unscheduled and extended grounding of two 787 Dreamliners due to the delayed delivery of engines and engine components.

National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) is experiencing significant disruptions to its flight schedules, resulting in unusually high levels of delays.

KQ announced this in a statement shared on X on Sunday, saying the disruptions resulted from an unscheduled and extended grounding of two 787 Dreamliners due to the delayed delivery of engines and engine components.

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The airline noted that the situation was being exacerbated by the unavailability of flight crews for certain regional flights.

In response to the disruptions, KQ said it was implementing several immediate measures, including readjusting its flight network, proactively communicating with affected customers, and accelerating the recovery process for the grounded aircraft.

The statement said it was also modifying schedules, including downgrading some flights to minimise disruptions.

"We sincerely apologise to customers who have been inconvenienced by these delays. We reiterate that your safety and well-being, as well as that of our crew, are our utmost priorities. We are doing everything in our power to resolve this situation as quickly and efficiently as possible."

KQ anticipated that the network would normalise by Tuesday, May 21, 2024, upon the receipt and installation of all necessary engines and their components.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is a long-haul, wide-body, twin-engine commercial aircraft designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is part of the Boeing 787 family, which includes various models designed to offer improved fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and operational flexibility.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has a wingspan of 197 feet 2 inches (60.1 meters) and an overall length of 186 feet (56.7 meters). Its tail height is 55 feet 4 inches (16.9 meters), with an interior cabin width of 18 feet (5.49 meters) and a diameter of 19 feet 4 inches (5.91 meters).

It has a lower cabin altitude and higher humidity levels compared to older aircraft, which can help reduce passenger fatigue and discomfort during long flights.

The engines on the 787-8 are designed to be quieter, resulting in a more peaceful cabin environment with reduced noise levels.

According to the Airline, the 787-8 is the first model in the family and has played a pivotal role in revolutionising modern aviation.