Kenya Airways (KQ) pilot Captain Ruth Karauri became a global sensation when she did what only the world’s most courageous pilots would do; land a Ksh28.2 billion Boeing 787 Dreamliner at London Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom (UK) in the middle of a storm wreaking havoc across the country.
Speaking in a video clip released by the national career on the morning of Sunday, February 20, the captain noted that the plane encountered strong gusting winds at the popular Heathrow Airport.
She further explained that she was able to manoeuvre the conditions largely due to the training provided to her by Kenya Airways.
“This is Captain Ruth Karauri of the now-famous KQ100 at London Heathrow. With me is my first officer of the day, Ayoob Harunany. We had the pleasure of encountering storm Eunice at London Heathrow yesterday (Friday, February 18). We were landing on the Westerly Runway into Heathrow.
Her prowess caught the attention of leaders including Central Bank Governor Patrick Njoroge who congratulated her on the feat.
“You’ve seen the videos of planes struggling to land at London Heathrow Aiport yesterday with Storm Eunice. The exception was KQ’s Captain Ruth Karauri who landed the 787 like a boss! Congrats Captain, and first officer Ayoob Harunany,” stated Njoroge.
“Hongera (congratulations) Capt. Ruth Karauri on the successful landing in Storm Eunice,” applauded UK’s High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot.
Storm Eunice is the UK’s recent cluster of winter wind storms with the UK’s meteorological department relating it to a strong polar vortex creating low pressure in the Arctic. The country is battling with record-breaking 122mph winds caused by Storm Eunice.
She is a mother of three, that is, two girls and one boy. Her husband, Ronald Karauri, was also a pilot himself at KQ before he was into the world of sports betting.
