KQ diverts flight due to mechanical fault

Nairobi, Kenya: Thirty eight passengers aboard a Kenya Airways (KQ) flight from New Delhi to Nairobi were Monday delayed for at least four hours as the plane they were travelling in developed mechanical problems and had to be re-routed.

The Boeing 737- 700 which was to arrive in Nairobi on Monday at 12.20pm developed a mechanical fault in the fuel control system and although it had enough fuel, it needed to land at the nearest alternate airport.

KQ said that diverting the plane to Mombasa's Moi International Airport and the delay that ensued was only precautionary and that the plane was repaired and cleared.

"This was also a precautionary measure as the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) airspace was closed for Mashujaa day celebrations at the time it was to land in Nairobi," said a statement from the company's CEO Mr Mbuvi Ngunze.

The flight KQ221 was, however, cleared to continue on to JKIA after repair.