Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, has been closed due to a fire in the International Arrivals terminal building, which broke out early this morning.
‘We confirm reports of a fire at JKIA affecting part of the International Arrivals building and Unit 1 departures. The KAA Fire and Rescue Team is on the ground, being assisted by G4S and the Nairobi Fire Brigade. Passengers have been evacuated to safety,” the Kenya Airport Authority said in a statement.
The fire spread quickly, engulfing a large section of the building in smoke and flames. All flights to the Kenyan airport are being diverted and no flights are departing for the time being.
Aircraft parked near the terminal have been towed a safe distance away and other equipment – high loaders, movable stairs, and vehicles – have also been moved away from the apron area just outside Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Incoming flights are being diverted to Mombasa, Eldoret, Entebbe, Kilimanjaro International, and Dar es Salaam.
There has been no speculation as to the cause of the fire, but an investigation will no doubt follow in due course.
If you’re due to fly into JKIA, please contact your regional airline office for more updates.