New airport at JKIA critical after years of expansion hurdles, KAA

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 2 – The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) says the planned construction of a new, modern airport at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will significantly ease congestion, expand capacity, and position Kenya to meet growing regional and global air travel demand.

KAA notes that JKIA handled about 8.6 million passengers in 2025, far above its design capacity of 7.5 million, highlighting the strain on existing infrastructure and the need for urgent expansion to support projected growth.

According to the authority, the new airport project is a bold commitment that will enhance passenger handling capacity, improve customer experience, and unlock new opportunities for trade and tourism, reinforcing JKIA’s status as Kenya’s premier gateway to the world.

Yesterday, president William Ruto in his new year address asserted that the government is keen to fast-rack the construction of a new airport at JKIA in a move he says will position Kenya as an aviation hub in the continent.

“We will also begin the construction of a modern, world-class airport at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, to anchor our nation as the aviation capital of our region,”he said.

According to the head of state,the project will play a key role in strengthening the economy through boosting trade and tourism sectors.

The construction of a new airport has previously faced  hurdles including the cancellation of a flagship deal with India’s Adani conglomerate, which had been poised to finance, expand and operate JKIA under a long-term agreement valued at nearly $1.85 billion.

The proposed long-term concession which would have seen Adani build a second runway, new terminal and modern facilities in exchange for a 30-year operating lease attracted legal challenges and widespread public debate over transparency, national control of strategic assets and value for money.

In November 2024, President William Ruto ordered the cancellation of the Adani-JKIA deal following mounting public pressure.