Flight Cancellations in Addis Ababa and Nairobi Creates Travel Interruption for Passengers in Kenya and Ethiopia with Eleven Suspensions and Hundreds of Delays by Jambojet, British Airways, Flydubai and others, New Update

Published on November 21, 2025

Travelers across East Africa face significant interruptions today. Specifically, flight operations in Nairobi and Addis Ababa show major irregularities. Latest reports indicate widespread delays and unexpected cancellations affecting these key aviation hubs. Consequently, passengers flying into Kenya and Ethiopia must check their schedules immediately. Several major carriers currently report confirmed service suspensions. For instance, Jambojet and British Airways cancelled flights at Jomo Kenyatta International, creating hurdles for departing guests. Meanwhile, Flydubai halted specific services in Ethiopia, adding to the regional confusion. These interruptions currently affect numerous passengers across the network. Therefore, staying informed remains crucial as airlines work to resolve these sudden scheduling challenges.

Major Airports Affected

The disruptions have been concentrated at two of the continent’s primary gateways: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya and Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi, Kenya) operations have been hindered by a series of cancellations and a significant number of delays. It has been reported that a total of 7 cancellations were executed today at this Nairobi hub. In addition to the flight suspensions, passenger schedules were further impacted by 69 recorded delays. As the primary aviation hub for Kenya, any fluctuation in schedule stability at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport creates a ripple effect for connecting flights and domestic travel within Kenya.

Simultaneously, disruption was observed at Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). While the number of absolute cancellations was lower than in Nairobi, the volume of delayed flights was significantly higher. Data indicates that 4 flights were cancelled at the Addis Ababa hub today. However, a staggering total of 152 delays were logged at Bole International, marking a day of slowed operations for passengers transiting through Ethiopia. As Addis Ababa serves as a major global connector, the volume of delays suggests a substantial accumulation of waiting time for travelers.

Impacted Airlines

A diverse range of carriers has been affected by today’s operational difficulties in Kenya and Ethiopia. The data breakdown reveals that both international giants and regional low-cost carriers have faced interruptions.

The impact was distributed among several carriers. Jambojet was noted as having the most complex set of disruptions, with 4 cancellations and 21 delays attributed to the airline. This represents a significant portion of the total cancellations reported at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Furthermore, international travel from Kenya was impacted, as British Airways saw 2 cancellations recorded today, though no delays were attributed to the airline. Precision Air also faced interruptions, with 1 cancellation and 2 delays noted.

Among airlines that faced only delays without cancellations in Nairobi, Kenya Airways was the most significantly affected. A total of 22 delays were recorded for Kenya’s flag carrier. Additionally, several other airlines operating out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport were reported to have minor delays, contributing to the overall count of 69 delays in Nairobi.

The interruptions in Ethiopia, were primarily characterized by delays, though specific cancellations were also noted for international carriers. Flydubai was reported to have 2 cancellations with zero delays. Similarly, Air Arabia experienced 2 cancellations and no delays at the Ethiopia hub.

The vast majority of the delays in Addis Ababa were associated with the home carrier, Ethiopian Airlines. A total of 147 delays were recorded for Ethiopian Airlines today. Given the high volume of traffic handled by the airline at Bole International, this figure accounts for nearly all of the 152 total delays reported at the airport. Several other airlines were also noted to have minor delays in Ethiopia, but the bulk of the scheduling lag was concentrated with the national carrier.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

The travel interruptions witnessed today in Nairobi and Addis Ababa present potential challenges for the local tourism and transit sectors in Kenya and Ethiopia.

In Nairobi, the delays and cancellations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport imply that visitors arriving for safaris, business conferences or transit to coastal Kenya may face extended wait times in terminals. With 69 delays and 7 cancellations, the flow of passengers into the city is slowed, potentially altering itineraries for accommodation providers and tour operators awaiting guests.

In Addis Ababa, the impact is likely felt through the sheer volume of passengers retained at the airport due to the 152 recorded delays. As Ethiopia is a massive transit hub connecting Africa to the world, these delays often result in fuller terminals and increased demand for airport services. For passengers intending to visit Addis Ababa itself, these delays represent time subtracted from their planned activities within the city. The connectivity between Kenya and Ethiopia is also vital; disruptions in one hub often affect the other, given the close regional proximity and flight frequency between Nairobi and Addis Ababa.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For travelers currently navigating the airports in Kenya and Ethiopia or those scheduled to fly to or from Nairobi and Addis Ababa, specific steps are recommended based on today’s data.

Passengers booked on Jambojet or British Airways from Nairobi are advised to immediately check the status of their flights, given the confirmed cancellations. Rebooking options should be sought immediately if a flight is listed among the seven suspended services.

Travelers flying with Ethiopian Airlines from or through Addis Ababa should prepare for potential timeline adjustments. With 147 delays reported, it is advisable to monitor flight schedules closely via official airline apps or airport information screens. While cancellations for the carrier were not highlighted in the data, the high volume of delays suggests that connecting times could be jeopardized.

Similarly, those traveling on Kenya Airways from Nairobi should anticipate delays, as 22 were recorded today. Passengers on Flydubai and Air Arabia in Ethiopia must verify their flight status immediately due to the reported cancellations.

Travelers in both Kenya and Ethiopia are encouraged to maintain contact with their respective airlines for the most accurate, real-time updates regarding these operational disruptions.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.