Kenya Airways has cancelled its flight from New York to Nairobi after severe weather conditions disrupted airport operations in the United States city.
In a customer update issued on July 19, the national carrier said that Flight KQ003, scheduled to depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on July 18, 2026, could not operate as planned.
The airline attributed the cancellation to adverse weather that significantly affected operations at New York airports.
“Due to severe weather conditions being experienced in New York, airport operations were significantly disrupted,” Kenya Airways said in the statement.
Passengers affected by the cancellation have been advised that the flight will depart once weather conditions improve, all required safety and regulatory measures are met, and the necessary air traffic clearance is granted.
Kenya Airways Hit by Weather Disruptions
Kenya Airways said the decision was taken to guarantee the safety and comfort of both passengers and crew, stressing that operational safety remained its top priority.
“The aircraft will depart as soon as weather conditions improve, all the safety and regulatory measures have been met and the necessary air traffic clearance is granted,” the airline said.
The carrier did not immediately indicate how many passengers were affected by the cancellation or provide a revised departure schedule.
The Nairobi-bound service is one of Kenya Airways’ key long-haul routes, linking Kenya directly with the United States.
The cancellation comes as parts of the northeastern United States continue to experience adverse weather conditions that have disrupted air travel and caused delays across several airports.
Kenya Airways apologised for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and thanked passengers for their patience.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank our guests for their patience and understanding,” the airline said.
The airline added that it would continue providing updates to affected passengers as more information becomes available.
Kenya Airways reiterated that the safety of its passengers, crew and aircraft remains its highest priority.
Severe Weather and Air Travel
Severe weather is among the leading causes of flight disruptions worldwide, particularly at busy international airports such as New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Thunderstorms can generate dangerous aviation conditions including lightning, hail, strong winds, heavy rainfall, turbulence and wind shear.
A sudden change in wind speed or direction can affect aircraft performance during take-off and landing.
These hazards pose significant safety risks to both aircraft and airport operations.
When severe weather strikes, air traffic authorities may impose ground stops or reduce aircraft movements to maintain safe separation between flights.
Airport activities such as refuelling, baggage handling and aircraft servicing may also be temporarily suspended, especially during lightning storms.
Heavy rain can reduce visibility and affect runway conditions, while strong winds may exceed operational safety limits.
As a result, airlines are often forced to delay or cancel flights until weather conditions improve and normal operations resume.
Kenya Airways Flights to US
Kenya Airways currently operates its only direct passenger service to the United States between Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The route is operated by flight KQ002 from Nairobi to New York and KQ003 from New York to Nairobi.
The route was launched in October 2018, making Kenya Airways the first airline to offer a non-stop connection between East Africa and the United States.
The flight covers approximately 11,800-11,900 kilometres and takes about 14 hours, making it one of Africa’s longest direct international routes.
The New York service is strategically important for Kenya Airways because it serves business travellers, tourists, the Kenyan diaspora, and cargo customers while providing onward connections through Nairobi to destinations across Africa.
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