Kenya Airways passenger dies at JKIA

The passenger is said to have developed breathing complications while boarding the flight which was scheduled to depart for Mombasa.

A statement issued by the airline on Wednesday night said the passenger succumbed while being attended to by the medical personnel at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at around 7 pm.

“Kenya Airways PLC ("KO"), regrets to announce that a passenger developed breathing difficulties this evening while boarding KQ612 that was scheduled to depart for Mombasa at 1900hours," read the statement by KQ.

“The passenger was pronounced dead by medical personnel at JKIA while the aircraft was still on the ground.”

As the airline regrets the incident, it notes that its teams are probing the case.

“The JKIA Health and Security agencies are currently handling the issue. We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time,” stated Kenya Airways.

This comes as the third tragic incident on a Kenya Airways flight in less than a month.

Barely two weeks ago on September 2, 2022 a passenger lost their life while onboard a flight KQ002 that was heading to New York City in the United States.

On August 23, 2022, Kenya Airways also confirmed the death of a passenger on one of its flights that was heading to Nairobi from New York.

KQ said the passenger fell ill mid-air, forcing the flight KQ003 to divert to Casablanca, Morocco for a medical emergency. The patient was however confirmed dead upon arrival.