Kenya Airways Grounds New York Routes Amid Severe US Winter Storm
Kenya Airways has abruptly canceled its New York flights, disrupting travel for thousands as harsh winter weather grips the US East Coast.
The airline halted two key Nairobi-New York services due to adverse conditions impacting major hubs like JFK Airport.
In a customer update issued on Saturday, January 24, 2026, the national carrier confirmed the cancellation of Flight KQ 002 from Nairobi (NBO) to New York (JFK) scheduled for January 24, and Flight KQ 003 from New York (JFK) to Nairobi (NBO) scheduled for January 25.
The airline said the decision was made in the interest of safety, noting that severe weather, including snowstorms, continues to disrupt air travel across the US.
“The safety of our guests and crew remains our highest priority,” KQ said, adding that its teams are closely monitoring the situation and will issue further updates as conditions evolve.
A powerful winter storm dumped up to 5 inches of snow across New York on January 19, leading to over 240 flight cancellations at JFK alone, with ripple effects persisting into late January.
More than 8,000 flights scheduled for the weekend have been cancelled, according to flight tracking data, while thousands more have been delayed as heavy snow, ice, and extreme cold affect large parts of the country.
Kenya Airways, operating its Boeing 787 Dreamliners on this route, prioritized safety amid ongoing advisories for freezing roads, low visibility, and extreme wind chills dropping to -20°F upstate.
Recent flight tracking shows KQ3 arrived early on January 24 despite delays, but the carrier pulled back preemptively.
This suspension hits Kenya’s diaspora hard, especially during peak January travel post-holidays, stranding business executives, students, and families.
Kenya Airways, Africa’s Pride, resumed daily New York flights recently to boost connectivity, but such weather events expose vulnerabilities in long-haul operations.
Passengers face rebooking challenges, with airlines like United and JetBlue waiving fees amid nationwide delays topping 2,700 flights.
Travellers should check Kenya Airways’ flight status page for real-time updates and consider flexible re-routing via Europe or the Middle East.
With Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as the hub, alternatives like Qatar Airways or Emirates may fill gaps, though fares could spike. This incident underscores the need for robust contingency plans in Kenya’s aviation sector amid global climate shifts bringing fiercer US winters.