A passenger on a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos died after suffering a medical emergency shortly before the aircraft landed in Nigeria.
Kenya Airways said the incident occurred on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, with the passenger becoming unresponsive about 20 minutes before the scheduled landing.
The airline said the medical emergency was reported at around 9:20 pm local Nigerian time, prompting the cabin crew to administer first aid and follow established emergency procedures.
“Upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 21:41 hrs, the aircraft was met by medical personnel,” Kenya Airways said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“Upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away.”
The airline did not disclose the identity of the passenger or the circumstances surrounding the medical emergency.
Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and friends while pledging to support them as authorities handle the incident.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and apologise for any inconvenience this incident may have caused,” the airline said.
The national carrier added that it was working closely with the deceased’s family, local authorities and aviation regulators.
Kenya Airways also said it was respecting the privacy and dignity of everyone affected by the incident.
The death comes as airlines continue to maintain emergency medical procedures on board to respond to passengers who fall ill during flights.
Crew followed emergency procedures
According to the airline, the passenger’s condition became critical while the aircraft was still in the air, prompting the crew to activate the appropriate emergency response procedures.
The crew administered first aid while preparing for the aircraft’s arrival in Lagos, where medical personnel were arranged to meet the plane.
The incident comes amid increased attention on medical emergencies involving air travellers, where cabin crews are trained to provide immediate assistance and coordinate with medical teams on the ground.
