The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has launched a strategic environmental and social assessment (SESA) to guide future upgrades of Wilson Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), inviting public input to ensure the plans align with national goals and local needs.
This comes as KAA continues infrastructure improvements at JKIA, including runway and baggage system upgrades, with Board Chairman Caleb Kositany emphasising the goal of transforming JKIA into a modern, competitive hub.
Wilson Airport
Plans are already underway at Wilson Airport to redesign and expand the runway to improve safety. The airport, which handles over 120 000 aircraft movements annually, serves as the gateway to Kenya’s tourism circuits including the Maasai Mara, Ukunda, Vipingo, Amboseli and the northern conservancies. However, it has long struggled with congestion and inadequate infrastructure.
KAA confirmed that part of the upgrade will include expanding the apron and reconfiguring the taxiways to accommodate more aircraft and reduce turnaround time. In addition, passenger handling facilities will be modernised to meet international standards.
Jomo Kenyatta International
JKIA, Kenya’s primary international gateway, is also set for a facelift. The planned upgrades include runway improvements and the modernisation of terminals 1B and 1C. With over seven million passengers passing through annually, JKIA remains East Africa’s busiest airport.
Tourism stakeholders have long pushed for improvements at JKIA to ease bottlenecks, streamline customs and immigration services, and elevate the airport’s image as the first and last point of contact for visitors.
Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO) CEO Liz Aluvanze welcomed the move but emphasised that stakeholder consultations must remain central to the process.
“Wilson is a critical node in our domestic aviation and tourism landscape. These upgrades are long overdue but they must be guided by the needs of operators who use the airport daily,” she said.
Aluvanze said KAAO and its members have been actively engaged in the planning and design of the upgrades. “Operators have been part of the discussions on the upcoming pavement rehabilitation and apron reconfiguration works, offering practical input on how to minimise disruption to operations while improving safety and efficiency. All we are calling for is sustained involvement, from design and planning to the implementation stages, to ensure that the upgrades deliver practical, long-term solutions for the industry.”
She also noted that, at JKIA, infrastructure priorities include decongesting terminals and improving airside efficiency. “These upgrades are not just necessary – they are fundamental to the sustainability and competitiveness of Kenya’s aviation sector.”
Beyond physical changes, she called for smarter safety systems. “We must strengthen enforcement of obstacle limitation surfaces, digitise slot allocations, and build an integrated aviation data hub that brings transparency and predictability to operations.”
Daniel Mbugua, Chairman of the Tour Operators Society of Kenya, echoed the sentiment. “The renovation of Wilson and JKIA is a welcome and timely development. These two airports serve as critical gateways for Kenya’s tourism industry – Wilson being the hub for domestic and regional safari circuits, and JKIA our international gateway.”
“Our members have consistently raised concerns about aging infrastructure, congestion at Wilson, poor signage, and inefficiencies in baggage handling and customs,” he said. “If done right, the renovations will transform Kenya’s tourism sector. They will increase efficiency in safari logistics, enhance traveller experience and improve Kenya’s regional competitiveness.”
Bhupendra Kumar, GM of Argyle Grand Hotel, stressed the importance of traveller comfort. “Wilson Airport, serving the bulk of charter and domestic flights to national parks and reserves, remains underdeveloped. For a country positioning itself as a luxury safari destination, such shortcomings are counterproductive.”
He added: “The success of tourism in Kenya hinges on two pillars: guest experience and accessibility. Both are directly impacted by policies on hospitality operations and the efficiency of our transport infrastructure.”
Joseph Kithitu, Chairman of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents, noted that upgraded airport systems translate into smoother arrivals, shorter wait times and better security screening, which are all vital for high-value tourism.
“Travel and tour operators have raised recurring issues like congestion, poor communication during construction phases and uncoordinated protocols during peak tourism seasons,” he said.
“We recommend a renovation approach that includes strong digital systems to support e-visa, e-check-in and domestic-international terminal integration.”
Rosco Wendover, CEO of Angama, welcomed the proposed developments, noting the critical role of air travel in connecting key destinations across Kenya’s tourism circuit.
“Any small investment in the air bridges in and around Kenya is only a good thing. Time is a precious commodity and, if we can expedite the movement of people across the country, connecting the Mara to the coast or the north, we’ll have a much stronger tourism offering.”
Wendover called for thoughtful, sustainable planning. “We must ensure we’re not just adding tarmac but using smart data and technology to build efficient, secure and future-ready infrastructure for tourists and the growing domestic travel market. Kenya must think about this not just as an upgrade but as a shift toward leadership in regional aviation.”
