Operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) remained largely unaffected on Sunday despite a fire alarm incident that led to the temporary evacuation of Terminal 1C.
According to a statement released by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the fire alarm was triggered at 2:55 PM in the check-in area of Terminal 1C. The airport’s Fire and Rescue team responded swiftly, initiating evacuation procedures to safeguard passengers and staff. Although the alarm was initially silenced, it reactivated several times, prompting airport authorities to temporarily shut down the fire alarm system for further inspection.
“As a safety measure, Terminal 1C was temporarily vacated to ensure the wellbeing of passengers and airport staff,” read part of the KAA statement.
KAA assured the public that the incident did not affect flight operations. All flights scheduled to depart from or arrive at Terminal 1C were swiftly and seamlessly relocated to Terminal 1A and Terminal 1B, ensuring continuity in passenger services.
“JKIA’s operations remain normal, and teams are on-site working to resolve the issue. The airport management assures the public that safety remains a top priority and appreciates the cooperation of all stakeholders during this time,” the authority stated.
Passengers were advised to confirm their updated terminal details directly with their airlines. KAA also encouraged passengers and stakeholders seeking more information to contact its Corporate Communications office.
The quick response by the emergency team and the smooth transition of flights to adjacent terminals helped avert major disruptions. The authority’s ability to handle the situation efficiently was seen as a testament to JKIA’s improved safety protocols and crisis response mechanisms.
While investigations into the root cause of the repeated fire alarm activation are ongoing, KAA emphasized that it is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all airport users.
JKIA is East Africa’s busiest airport, and any disruption typically has regional ripple effects. However, in this case, normalcy prevailed as authorities moved promptly to manage the incident with minimal inconvenience to passengers.