Passengers told to arrive early, expect delays amid heightened security at JKIA
![Passengers told to arrive early, expect delays amid heightened security at JKIA Passengers told to arrive early, expect delays amid heightened security at JKIA](https://citizentv.obs.af-south-1.myhuaweicloud.com/129581/conversions/AFP__20221105__32MV4NP__v1__HighRes__KenyaAirTransportStrike-og_image.webp)
The entrance of the Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Nairobi on November 5, 2022. (Photo by AFP)
Passengers travelling through the Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Tuesday have been advised to
arrive early due to heightened security checks and traffic disruptions on roads
leading to Kenya's main airport.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) on
Monday evening told passengers to expect longer security protocols while the national
carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) advised travellers to arrive four hours before their
departure time.
“Due to heightened security checks and
protocols at JKIA, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early to
avoid any potential delays in catching their flights. Kindly contact your
respective airline for the latest flight information,” the national airport
operator said on its social media pages.
In a separate notice issued just minutes
past 9 o’clock, KQ said traffic disruptions were anticipated on major roads
leading to JKIA on Tuesday.
“Customers are advised to arrive at the
airport at least four hours before their scheduled flight departure time…Traveling
customers can physically check in at the airport as early as 4 hours before
flight departure; online via www.kenya-airways.com or on their mobile devices
via the KQ Mobile app from 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure,” KQ
said.
The airline said it was “doing everything
possible to ensure our flights depart and arrive on schedule” but advised
customers to expect some delays in their departure and arrival times.
The advisories came ahead of Tuesday’s
planned anti-government demonstrations in the capital city, in which protesters
have been mobilising for a march to JKIA.
Protesters have since President William
Ruto dropped the contentious 2024 Finance Bill late last month continued with
demos against his administration, calling for an overhaul of the entire
government. Others also call for his resignation.
Tuesday’s demonstration, dubbed
‘OccupyJKIA’, follows a previous Parliament buildings edition dubbed
‘OccupyParliament’ and the ‘OcuppyCBD’ march in the Nairobi city centre.
Police have however warned protesters
against accessing protected areas.
Acting Police Inspector General Douglas
Kanja late Monday said while it is every Kenyan’s right to protest, they
must take note of the legal boundaries that govern access to protected areas.
“The Protected Areas Act Cap 204 Laws of
Kenya prevents the entry of unauthorized persons into areas which have been
declared to be protected areas... [They] include the LPG Plant, the Bitumen Plant
and Petroleum depots situated at the Embakasi Aviation Depot (JKIA),” the
police boss said in a statement.
He added that the Kenya Civil Aviation Act
provides that anyone who trespasses on any land forming part of a government
aerodrome or an aerodrome commits an offence punishable by law.
“We urge all individuals participating in
demonstrations to respect these legal provisions and refrain from attempting to
enter or interfere with protected areas. The National Police Service is
resolute in its commitment to uphold and enforce these laws,” Kanja said.
JKIA is the main gateway into Kenya and is
the busiest airport in East Africa.
It is the hub of Kenya Airways, which it
serves alongside other such airlines as Emirates, Turkish Airways, British
Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.
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