JKIA modernisation: Why Kenya can’t afford to rest on its laurels

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Motorists being subjected to security checks at the entrance of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

Lately I have been inundated with questions about Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The inquiries underscore just how central this airport is to our nation — from its role in Kenya’s economy to its future as a regional hub.

For many visitors to Kenya, JKIA is their first point of contact in the country. It is also the same for returning citizens. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the state of the country’s morality or the level of corruption or indiscipline is discernible from the reception accorded at the first port of entry.

According to Iata , aviation contributes Sh521.5 billion annually to Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP) — translating to approximately 3.5 percent of GDP — and supports over 500,000 jobs. For Kenya Airways (KQ), JKIA’s anchor airline, statistics portend even greater import.

KQ accounts for approximately 10 percent of Kenya’s foreign exchange transactions. JKIA, on the other hand, handles 7.5 million passengers and 330,000 tons of cargo each year.

These passenger numbers are already 115 percent in excess of its built capacity, with growth expected to reach 20 million by 2035.

Without a modernised airport, Kenya risks losing its edge in attracting this lucrative forex revenue stream.

Many airlines around the world have demonstrated how aviation can single-handedly transform a nation’s economy. For instance, Emirates Airlines is a cornerstone of Dubai’s economy, playing a pivotal role in its transformation into a global business and tourism hub.

Singapore is another case. The city-nation is supported by its national carrier to the extent that it is considered its backbone.

For Kenya, picture this; a vibrant economy where floriculture—an industry in which the country leads the world—thrives because fresh roses can reach Amsterdam in perfect bloom within hours. This story is made possible by JKIA.

Yet, as Kenya celebrates its status as East Africa’s economic leader, JKIA’s infrastructure is groaning under a desperate need for modernisation. Without timely expansion, JKIA risks becoming a bottleneck rather than a bridge to our growth.

Across the region, rivals are gaining ground. Ethiopia is investing heavily in its aviation infrastructure, with plans to build a mega-airport which will have the capacity to handle up to 100 million passengers annually.

This will make it the largest airport in Africa once completed. Rwanda is also making significant strides by building a new airport with a 14 million passengers’ annual capacity.

Kenya can’t afford to rest on its laurels. To maintain its regional ascendancy, JKIA must evolve into an airport capable of matching and surpassing these emerging threats.

For Kenya, as the world’s top exporter of cut flowers, seamless logistics are critical. Advanced cargo facilities at JKIA would ensure that every petal remains as fresh on arrival as it was at harvest. Cue should be taken from Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands, a global benchmark for handling of perishable goods. Its sophisticated cold-chain systems provide a clear roadmap for JKIA to emulate.

With modernised cargo capabilities, JKIA could set new standards in Africa, boosting Kenya’s competitiveness and cementing its status as a global leader in floriculture exports.

The writer is Group Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Airways

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