Travellers heading to and from the United States have been reminded of the unpredictable nature of summer weather after Kenya Airways cancelled its scheduled New York–Nairobi service due to severe storms that battered New York City and disrupted operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The national carrier confirmed that Flight KQ003, which was scheduled to depart on Saturday, 18 July 2026, was unable to operate after heavy thunderstorms, torrential rainfall and flash flooding significantly affected airport operations.
In a statement, Kenya Airways said the decision was made with passenger and crew safety as the top priority.
“Due to severe weather conditions being experienced in New York, airport operations were significantly disrupted. For the safety and comfort of our crew and passengers, KQ003… was cancelled,” the airline said.
The airline added that the flight will depart once weather conditions improve, all safety and regulatory requirements are met, and the necessary air traffic clearance is granted.
The disruption comes at a particularly busy period for international travel, with thousands of football fans moving across the United States following the FIFA World Cup. New York, one of the tournament’s key host cities through the nearby MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has experienced a surge in visitor numbers, placing additional pressure on transport and airport infrastructure.
Powerful thunderstorms swept across New York over the weekend, dumping more than two inches of rain in some neighbourhoods within a matter of hours. The intense rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems, triggering flash floods that submerged roads, flooded subway stations and disrupted public transport across Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx.
Authorities issued emergency weather warnings, urging residents and visitors to avoid unnecessary travel as floodwaters rendered several roads impassable. Images circulating online showed stranded vehicles and pedestrians navigating knee-deep water in parts of the city.
The severe weather also had a ripple effect across the aviation sector. Numerous flights at JFK and neighbouring airports were delayed or cancelled due to poor visibility, strong winds and hazardous operating conditions. Beyond aviation, the storms even forced the postponement of the Major League Baseball clash between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
For Kenya Airways, the incident highlights the growing impact of extreme weather events on international aviation. Modern airlines increasingly face operational challenges linked to climate-related disruptions, ranging from severe storms and hurricanes to prolonged heatwaves that can affect aircraft performance and airport operations.
Passengers booked on the affected flight have been advised to closely monitor communications from Kenya Airways regarding revised departure arrangements. The airline has assured customers that it will continue providing updates as operations resume.
Meteorologists expect weather conditions in New York to improve over the coming days, although forecasts indicate another round of showers and thunderstorms could develop later this week. As one of the world’s busiest aviation gateways continues recovering from the disruption, airlines and travellers alike will be hoping for calmer skies during one of the busiest global travel seasons of the year.
