Kenya Airways (KQ) confirmed on Friday night that flight KQ310, destined for Dubai, returned to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi as a precautionary measure after runway inspectors discovered tyre debris believed to be from the aircraft.

"At approximately 21:20 HRS on 15 December 2023, JKIA Air Traffic Control encountered tyre debris during a regular runway inspection," the airline stated in a position statement.

Upon further investigation, KQ's operations team determined the debris belonged to KQ310, which had recently departed for Dubai.

Prioritizing safety, KQ's operations team contacted the crew and opted for a precautionary air turnback to Nairobi.

The KQ operations team immediately contacted the crew and agreed on a precautionary air turnback to Nairobi for further technical attention," the airline stated in a press release. 

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The crew, following established procedures in consultation with control, safely landed the aircraft back at JKIA at 23:46 HRS.

Passengers were accommodated while the airline arranged for rebooking on the next available flight.

"Air turnbacks are standard safety procedures in aviation," KQ emphasized, underscoring their commitment to the safety of both passengers and crew.

"We sincerely apologize to our guests for the inconvenience and assure our customers that their safety and that of our crew is our highest priority," concluded the statement, issued by KQ's Corporate Communications department on 15th December 2023.

This incident highlights the importance of vigilant safety protocols in aviation.

While the cause of the tyre debris remains under investigation, KQ's swift action and adherence to established procedures ensured the safe return of all passengers and crew.