Kenya has unveiled plans to expand its main international airport in Nairobi, a move aimed at increasing capacity, improving services, and maintaining the country’s competitive edge in East Africa’s fast-growing aviation market.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) announced late last week that Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will see the construction of a new terminal and a second runway, adding the capacity to handle 15 million more passengers annually by 2029. Once completed, aircraft movements are expected to rise to 63 per hour, compared with just 14 at present.
Originally designed for 8 million passengers a year, JKIA has already exceeded this limit, accommodating 8.6 million travelers in 2024 and 8.8 million in 2025. The strain on the airport’s infrastructure has become more apparent as regional air traffic continues its post-pandemic recovery, fueled by growing tourism, business travel, and cargo movements.
“Upgrading JKIA is crucial to strengthen Nairobi’s position as a gateway to East Africa, attract more international airlines, and enhance passenger and cargo services,” a KCAA official said.
Financing hurdles have long delayed the expansion. In 2024, India’s Adani Group proposed a $1.85 billion investment to modernize the airport under a 30-year concession. The deal was later canceled after airport workers raised concerns over terms they considered unfavorable to national interests. The government now says it is exploring alternative funding arrangements to fast-track the project.
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Regional competition adds further urgency. Rwanda is constructing a new airport in Bugesera, aiming for a 14 million passenger capacity, with the first phase of 7 million expected to open in 2027. Tanzania has upgraded Dar es Salaam International Airport to handle 8 million passengers and is modernizing Terminal 2 to capture more regional traffic.
Aviation analysts warn that delays at JKIA could erode Kenya’s market share. “The East African aviation sector is becoming increasingly competitive. Kenya must expand capacity and improve service quality quickly or risk losing passengers and cargo to its neighbors,” said aviation consultant Paul Njoroge.
The JKIA expansion is also expected to generate economic benefits, including job creation in construction and aviation services, increased tourism revenues, and enhanced cargo throughput that supports regional trade.
The government emphasized that the project aligns with broader national plans to modernize infrastructure and stimulate economic growth, particularly in logistics, trade, and tourism sectors.
With construction scheduled to start in the coming months, the new terminal and runway are set to transform JKIA into a major regional hub capable of handling future air traffic demands. Authorities said the airport upgrade will be implemented in phases, minimizing disruption to ongoing operations while ensuring safety and efficiency.
“The expansion of JKIA is not just about accommodating more passengers; it is a strategic move to secure Kenya’s long-term position in a rapidly evolving regional aviation market,” the KCAA statement said.
As East Africa’s air travel market continues to grow, Kenya’s investment in JKIA will be closely watched by airlines, investors, and neighboring governments seeking to capture a share of the region’s increasing passenger and cargo traffic.
