In the last few moments, it has emerged that the Royal Air Force QRA has intercepted a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to London Heathrow.
It is understood that Kenya Airways flight KQ100 is diverting to London Stansted Airport, the designated diversion airport for these incidents.
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RAF QRA Intercepts Kenya Airways Flight Nairobi-London…
This is a developing story. Updates below.
UPDATE #1 @ 1530 UK time – KQ100 is descending through FL100 as it prepares for an arrival into London Stansted Airport following RAF QRA interception.
UPDATE #2 @ 1531 UK time – 5Y-KZG is the Boeing 787 operating this flight today, with the airframe being 8.5 years old at the time of writing having been delivered to the Nairobi-based carrier back in April 2015.
UPDATE #3 @ 1533 UK time – It is understood that one of the RAF Typhoons that intercepted the Boeing 787 was ZJ849.
UPDATE #4 @ 1534 UK time – Kenya Airways flight KQ100 is currently at FL90 to the east of London Stansted Airport.
UPDATE #5 @ 1537 UK time – KQ100 is descending through 6,000 feet on the base leg for Runway 22 at Stansted.
UPDATE #6 @ 1539 UK time – KQ100 is now turning final for Runway 22 at Stansted.
UPDATE #7 @ 1544 UK time – TOUCHDOWN! KQ100 has appeared to have touched down safely into Stansted following an interception by the Royal Air Force Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons.
UPDATE #8 @ 1544 UK time – Unconfirmed reports coming in that bomb disposal vans are enroute to Stansted Airport. Standby for further updates.
UPDATE #9 @ 1546 UK time – KQ100 has vacated Runway 22 at Stansted and is now taxing to the designated stands for when RAF QRA interceptions take place.
UPDATE #10 @ 1551 UK time – If this is indeed a bomb threat, then this will be the second one of the day, following the Scoot Boeing 787 in Singapore earlier today.
UPDATE #11 @ 1553 UK time – KQ100 has made it to the designated stand. Standing by for more information on this.
UPDATE #12 @ 1555 UK time – Queues are beginning to form at Stansted as flights are being held due to this developing incident.
UPDATE #13 @ 1600 UK time – No official confirmation as of yet, but nothing is going in or out of Stansted at this time.
UPDATE #14 @ 1613 UK time – Photos have emerged from the scene at Stansted Airport, with a heavy presence of emergency services.
UPDATE #15 @ 1618 UK time – Operations have resumed at the airport following this diversion.
UPDATE #16 @ 1619 UK time – This is the second time in three days that the KQ100 has been involved in some form of incident.
On October 9, KQ100 declared a medical emergency whilst enroute to London Heathrow and then we have today’s incident.
UPDATE #17 @ 1654 UK time – Latest update from Essex Police regarding the ongoing incident at Stansted Airport.
UPDATE #18 @ 1705 UK time – Kenya Airways have released a statement on today’s diversion into London Stansted Airport.
UPDATE #19 @ 1711 UK time – Understood that defence teams have been stood down. Now on the police and emergency services to sort the rest of the disruption that has been caused by this incident.
UPDATE #20 @ 1735 UK time – As per ADS-B Exchange, KQ100 looks to be either getting towed or is taxing out for departure. Unclear at this time.
UPDATE #21 @ 1741 UK time – KQ100 crossing the active runway at London Stansted.
UPDATE #22 @ 1746 UK time – KQ100 is heading to a gate at Stansted Airport, potentially to deplane all passengers. Unclear whether it will do a short hop to Heathrow still at this time.
UPDATE #23 @ 1847 UK time – Kenya Airways has released another statement regarding today’s incident for the flight bound to Heathrow from Nairobi.
UPDATE #24 @ 1909 UK time – 5Y-KZG, the Boeing 787 involved in today’s diversion is preparing to depart for its repositioning flight to London Heathrow. It did have a slot of 1845 UK time, but has not yet moved.
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