Disgruntled passengers faced a frustrating six-hour ordeal at Dubai International Airport on Sunday morning after Kenya Airways (KQ) abruptly cancelled two flights scheduled to Nairobi.

The airline initially confirmed only one cancellation, citing safety concerns for passengers and crew.

“It’s true that KQ307 had to be cancelled. This is because the aircraft computer system that monitors traffic during flight failed just before departure out of Dubai,” the airline said.

KQ operates two daily flights to Dubai from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and maintains a thrice-weekly connection from Mombasa.

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The airline later clarified that flight KQ307 was grounded due to a malfunctioning aircraft computer system responsible for monitoring in-flight traffic.

Details regarding the re-routing of stranded passengers, many of whom vented their frustration on social media, remain undisclosed by KQ.

The cancellations significantly impacted passengers connecting to other East African destinations via Nairobi, forcing them to endure extended layovers in Dubai.

KQ relies heavily on the Dubai route to connect travellers to Europe and Asia.

In a statement, Kenya Airways acknowledged these challenges and confirmed they are working with Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, to acquire a replacement for the faulty part as soon as possible.

This incident follows warnings issued by the airline earlier this year, where concerns regarding supply chain disruptions potentially impacting service were raised.

This latest incident is not an isolated one.

Parts shortages plaguing the global supply chain have resulted in numerous flight cancellations and delays for KQ since the beginning of the year.

KQ Chief Executive Allan Kilavuka, speaking at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting last month, revealed that one of their planes had been undergoing extensive maintenance since late 2023, further highlighting the ongoing parts shortage.

As Kenya Airways continues to navigate these difficulties, passengers are left to deal with the inconvenience and uncertainty surrounding their travel plans while they remain hopeful for a swift resolution to prevent further disruptions and restore the airline's reliability.