A Kenya Airways flight bound for Nairobi was forced to return to Entebbe International Airport on Sunday after a bird strike shortly after takeoff, in an incident that disrupted operations but ended safely for all passengers and crew.
In a statement, Kenya Airways confirmed that flight KQ421 departed from Entebbe International Airport at about 10:02 am EAT on 24 May 2026 but encountered a bird strike shortly after becoming airborne. The impact affected the aircraft’s steering components, prompting the flight crew to follow established safety procedures and return to the departure airport as a precautionary measure.
“Kenya Airways (KQ) confirms that on 24 May 2026 at around 10:02Hrs EAT, KQ421 on a scheduled flight from Entebbe to Nairobi experienced a bird strike after take off. Upon following the safety procedures and informing our guests, our crew elected to return to Entebbe International Airport, landing safely at 10:41hrs local time,” the airline said.
“All passengers and crew onboard safely disembarked.”
The airline said engineers and airport technical teams were immediately deployed to inspect the aircraft and begin repair work. It estimated that the aircraft could be returned to service later in the day, around 20:00 hours, subject to completion of safety checks and clearance by maintenance teams.
Following the incident, Kenya Airways warned of possible delays across its network as it works to restore normal operations. It said its teams are actively managing affected routes and assisting passengers whose travel plans were disrupted.
“We estimate the aircraft should be back in service by 20:00hrs later today. As a result of this bird strike, some of our scheduled flights for today may experience some delays as we recover the network,” said the national carrier.
Bird strikes are a known aviation hazard, particularly during takeoff and landing when aircraft operate at lower altitudes. While such incidents rarely result in injuries, they can cause technical damage that requires precautionary returns and detailed inspections before an aircraft is cleared to fly again.
Kenya Airways expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and said customer care teams are in contact with affected passengers to provide support and assistance.
The airline reiterated that safety remains its top priority, noting that the crew’s decision to return to Entebbe reflected standard operating procedures designed to protect passengers and aircraft integrity.
