11-13 June 2025
Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport, Zanzibar Tanzania
Kenya Airports Authority
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) profile.
1. Overview: One of Africa's busiest airports, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) serves as the main international entry point into Kenya. Kenya's capital, Nairobi, is home to JKIA, a major hub for both passenger and cargo air travel that is essential to regional and international connectivity.
2. Ownership and Governance: The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), a state corporation under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, owns and runs JKIA. Kenya's civil airports are to be developed, maintained, and managed by KAA.
3. Important Information:
Location: Nairobi, Kenya, Embakasi
Over 8 million passengers pass through each year, including 3.5 million international departing passengers.
Runways: one main runway (3,900 meters) with plans for continuous expansion
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is categorized as a Category 1 airport. Furthermore, the following is a summary of its classifications:
Code E: Wingspans up to but excluding 65 meters (e.g., Airbus A330, Boeing 777)
3. Category 1 Rating from the FAA - direct flights to the United States (e.g., Kenya Airways’ NBO–JF
Terminals: 1A (international), 1B, 1C, 1D (domestic), and Terminal 2
4. Strategic Importance: JKIA is the primary base for Kenya Airways and the aviation hub for East and Central Africa. It facilitates trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations by linking Africa to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America.
5. Route Network: Nairobi's status as a major aviation hub in Africa is strengthened by JKIA's extensive route network:
• Europe: Daily flights to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Rome; • Africa: Direct connections to major cities such as Johannesburg, Lagos, Accra, Addis Ababa, Kigali, Entebbe, Cairo, and Dakar
Asia: Access to important hubs like Guangzhou, Mumbai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Istanbul; • Middle East: Frequent flights to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Jeddah
North America: Direct flights to New York
6. Facilities and Services:
Passenger services include hotels, duty-free shopping, lounges, specialty retail
Cargo Operations: With specialised cold storage and warehousing, JKIA is home to one of Africa's biggest cargo centres.
Ground Transportation: ICAO-certified with strong security infrastructure; accessible by taxis, shuttles, and linked to the Nairobi Expressway
7. Commercial Operations: JKIA's portfolio of business endeavors is expanding and includes:
Opportunities for real estate and land leases, food and beverage establishments, retail concessions, and advertising spaces
Transit hotel developments and CIP terminals
8. Mission and Vision:
Vision: To be Africa’s Premier Gateway to the World
Mission: To Provide Consistent, Seamless, and Delightful Travel Experience
9. Future Plans: Increasing the airport's capacity for cargo and logistics; modernizing and expanding the terminal; creating an airport city; implementing smart airport systems and digital transformation
Contact Details: P.O. Box 19001–00501, Nairobi, Kenya; phone: +254 20 822111; website: www.kaa.go.ke; email: info@kaa.go.ke; Kenya Airports Authority (JKIA)