US Asks Kenya Airways to Inspect 10 Boeing Planes Afresh

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has issued a safety alert on some Kenya Airways Boeing planes that have remained grounded for months.

The US aviation regulator asked KQ to inspect its Boeing 737 New Generation planes afresh before they return to skies next month.

The airplanes were grounded in March after the government suspended international travel following the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country.

FAA warned that grounded planes could form corrosion on the air check valves, which may lead to stalling of the aircraft’s two engines mid-air. It advised KQ to replace the engine valves if found to be corroded.

KQ presently owns 10 Boeing 737 New Generation planes in its fleet of 42. This plane has a flying range of 5,665 kilometers.

“We have received communication [from FAA] and Kenya Airways too has the alert. We shall monitor the task,” Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) director-general Gilbert Kibe told Business Daily.

International flights to and out of Kenya will resume from August 1st following the lifting of the travel ban issued in March to contain the spread of Covid-19.