JKIA, Wilson to be shut temporarily over Jamhuri Day celebrations

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(JKIA) terminal 1C. The airspace will be temporarily closed on Thursday due to Jamhuri Day celebrations. [File, Standard]

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport will be temporarily shut due to Jamhuri Day celebrations scheduled for Thursday.

Passengers planning to fly in and out of Kenya or within the country will be affected when the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority will close the airports to flights at certain hours tomorrow.

KCAA Director-General Cpt. Gilbert Kibe confirmed the temporary closures to Standard Digital but did not give the specific hours.

 Airline Fly450 issued an advisory on Wednesday citing the JKIA airspace closure advising its clients who had scheduled flights on Thursday.

"Due to Jamhuri Day celebrations, no flights will be allowed to take off or land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport between 11.00am and 12pm," read the statement on Twitter.

"If you are traveling with us on that date, your flight maybe delayed. We are getting in touch with the affected passengers and advising them accordingly."

In another advisory, East African Air said: "Due to Jamhuri Day celebrations, no flights will be allowed to take off or land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport between 9.am and 2pm."

The Jamhuri Day celebrations normally features fly-pasts by Kenya Airforce jets.