Aircraft operators in Kenya are set to be affected following Trump’s emergency airworthiness orders issued on February 1.
In a statement dated by the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2026-01-266, mandating that all aircraft whose final assembly was completed in Canada must cease operations immediately.
The directive follows the President of the United States’ order to revoke type certificates for aircraft under 14 CFR § 121.57(l) and § 135.117(e), affecting operators globally, including Kenya, where several commercial, safari, and military aircraft were assembled in Canada.
“Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2026-01-266 is sent to owners and operators of all aircraft whose final assembly was completed in Canada,” the statement read in part.
FAA Directives for Canadian-Assembled Aircraft
According to FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2026-01-266 under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, and 44701, the directive is effective immediately upon receipt.
No previously issued ADs are affected. The directive applies to all planes whose final assembly was completed in Canada, across any certification category. The subject is classified under Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code 0000, covering general aircraft operations.
“This emergency AD applies to all aircraft whose final assembly was completed in Canada, certificated in any category,” FAA noted.
The unsafe condition prompting this AD arises from the revocation of the type certificate approval basis for affected aircrafts. Operators must comply immediately unless already done.
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Affected crafts must cease operations upon their next landing unless specifically authorised by the FAA. Special flight permits are prohibited unless granted by the agency.
The FAA may approve Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) under 14 CFR 39.19, but all approvals must be explicitly authorized.
“Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs). The FAA may approve AMOCs in accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,” they confirmed.
Kenya’s Canadian-Assembled Planes Affected
Kenya operates several planes fully or partially assembled in Canada, including commercial, safari, and military planes.
The FAA’s Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2026-01-266 requires operators of Canadian-assembled aircraft in the United States to cease operations immediately, raising regulatory concerns for similar aircraft in Kenya.
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Kenya’s military fleet includes Canadian-assembled crafts such as the C-145A Skytruck (PZL Mielec M28 with Canadian Pratt & Whitney engines), acquired through U.S. programs for tactical transport missions.
VIP and charter operations include Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters, originally assembled in Mirabel, Canada, and reassembled locally in Ruiru for Africair Helicopter Support Limited, supporting private and corporate transport.
Commercial operators such as Jambojet fly De Havilland Canada Dash 8-Q400 turboprops assembled in Toronto and Alberta. These aircraft are actively used in domestic routes and remain under review by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) following the FAA directive.
Safari and regional operators use De Havilland Canada Twin Otters (DHC-6), fully assembled in Canada, for remote airstrips and tourism services, which are critical for connecting rural and tourist destinations across the country.
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