On Tuesday afternoon, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airways (JKIA) temporarily closed its runaway.
According to the Kenya Airport Authority, an aircraft incident caused the same. The runway became operational shortly after.
Now, Kenya Airways says one of the tyres of the aircraft failed while it was touching down at 12:55 pm.
In a statement, KQ said the aircraft had been diverted to Nairobi instead of Juba where it was headed.
This was after the Airport's operations control team received a report from the Sharjah Airport Authorities that there was tyre debris on the runway.
It was suspected to be from one of a Boeing 737 Freighter, on a routine operation from Sharjah to Juba.
"Upon receiving this report, our operations control team diverted the aircraft to Nairobi instead of proceeding to Juba," KQ said.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, the aircraft did an overflight, and the KQ team ascertained that it had adequate wheels for a safe landing as only one out of six wheels was damaged.
"The aircraft touched down safely at 12:55 p.m. local time, but while breaking and slowing down, one of the other tyres failed, which made the aircraft immobilised on the Runway," KQ said.
Kenya Airways, in close collaboration with the airport authority and regulator KCAA, diligently worked to replace the tyres and tow the aircraft to safety.
The aircraft was successfully towed from the runway at 2:12 p.m.
KQ apologised for any inconvenience caused and reiterated that the safety of its crew and customers is its number one priority.
