Kenya Airways Explains Suspension Of Flights To 2 Destinations

National carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ) on Saturday, December 14 temporarily suspended flights to Comoros and Mayotte (France).

In a notice to its customers, the airline revealed that the suspension was informed by developments surrounding the tropical Cyclone Chido which was expected to hit the islands of the two destinations.

Alerts have since been put out in regard to the impact of the cyclone, expected to last until Monday, December 16.

"Tropical Cyclone CHIDO is expected to hit the islands of Comoros, and Mayotte in the Indian Ocean as well as other countries from today.

Aerial view of Cyclone Chido. /BLOOMBERG

"Government authorities in both countries have put out alerts in relation to the impact of the cyclone which is expected to last until Monday 16th December 2024. To ensure the safety of our staff and customers, our flights into Comoros and Mayotte have been temporarily suspended," announced KQ.

The airline apologised to its customers for the inconvenience the events may cause, stressing the safety of its customers and staff as a number one priority.

"Our prayers are for the safety and well-being of the people that will be impacted by these adverse weather conditions. We are monitoring the weather situation and plan to resume flights on Monday, 16th December 2024, once the adverse weather conditions have improved significantly," added the airline.

"Affected customers are advised to visit our website Flight Status (kenya-airways.com) to confirm their new flight schedule or call our Customer Excellence Center via WhatsApp: +254 705 474 747 or X (formerly Twitter) @KQSupport for further assistance."

The cyclone has since inflicted "catastrophic" damage on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, according to a senior local official who told AFP. The cyclone battered the archipelago with winds of up to 220 kilometres per hour.

"We don't know if anyone has been killed but, given the damage, it's likely," said Madi Madi Souf, head of the Mayotte mayors' association, who was himself in mainland France, adding "It's a catastrophic situation."

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau hinted at very significant damage, adding that 140 fresh troops and firefighters would be sent to the scene on Sunday, December 15 to help with recovery, doubling the deployment sent earlier in the week.

Mayotte had been placed on violet alert -- the highest -- ahead of the passage of Chido, whose eye swept across the north of the archipelago from east to west on its way towards Mozambique on the African mainland.

Weather authority Meteo France recorded winds of at least 226 kilometres per hour at Pamandzi airport, however, conditions were expected to calm later on Saturday as the cyclone moved away. On the ground, more than 15,000 homes were without electricity, according to Environment Minister Agnes-Pannier-Runacher. 

A violet alert had ordered "strict lockdown for the whole population, including emergency services" from 7:00 am (0400 GMT) before the eye of the storm was due to pass over northern Mayotte. Road traffic was also banned and the archipelago's main airport, Dzaoudzi, was closed.

In April this year, Kenya Airways cancelled two flights into and out of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over another weather phenomenon; severe weather and ongoing flooding in the Middle East country.