Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
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| Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport |
| IATA | NBO |
| ICAO | HKJK |
| Owner | Government of Kenya |
| Operator | Kenya Airports Authority |
| City-served | Nairobi |
| Location | Embakasi |
| Elevation-f | 5,327 |
| Elevation-m | 1,624 |
| Coordinates | 1, 19, 09, S... |
| Website | https://www.kaa.go.ke/jomo-kenyatta-international-airport/ |
| R1-number | 06/24 |
| R1-length-m | 4,117 |
| R1-length-f | 13,507 |
| R1-surface | Asphalt |
| Stat-year | 2023 |
| Stat1-header | Passengers |
| Stat1-data | 7,547,000 |
| Stat2-header | Aircraft movements |
| Stat2-data | 80,000 |
| Stat3-header | Cargo (metric tonnes) |
| Stat3-data | 341,000 |
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the primary international aviation gateway to Kenya and the busiest airport in East Africa. Located in the Embakasi suburb southeast of Nairobi, it serves as a major hub for Kenya Airways and a critical connection point for travel across the African continent. The facility is operated by the Kenya Airports Authority and is named after Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of Kenya.
History
The airport's origins trace back to the late 1950s when the colonial government began planning a new facility to replace the older Eastleigh Airport. It was officially opened in 1958 as Embakasi Airport, with its first major terminal building, now known as Terminal 1, constructed in the 1970s. A significant expansion occurred in 2013 with the opening of the Unit 4 terminal, designed to handle the growing passenger traffic ahead of the United Nations UNEP assembly. The airport has been a focal point for regional diplomacy, hosting numerous dignitaries and serving as the arrival point for Pope John Paul II during his 1980 and 1985 visits to Kenya.
Facilities
The airport complex features several passenger terminals, with the original Terminal 1 handling most international flights and the modern Unit 4 dedicated to Kenya Airways and its SkyTeam partners. Cargo operations are managed by the Swissport-operated JKIA Cargo Centre, one of the largest in Africa. Key infrastructure includes two parallel runways, the main 06/24 runway capable of accommodating large aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, and extensive maintenance facilities used by Alliance Airlines and other carriers. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority maintains its headquarters on the airport grounds.
Airlines and destinations
As the hub for the national carrier Kenya Airways, the airport connects Nairobi to major global cities such as London, Amsterdam, New York, and Dubai. Other prominent airlines operating here include Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, and KLM. Regional connections are extensive, with frequent services to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport, and Kigali International Airport by carriers like RwandAir and Precision Air.
Statistics
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport consistently handled over 7 million passengers annually, with a peak of 7.5 million in 2023. It is a leading cargo hub in Africa, processing over 341,000 metric tonnes of freight in the same year, facilitated by operators like Astral Aviation and DHL Aviation. Aircraft movements average approximately 80,000 per year, with Kenya Airways accounting for the largest share. The facility contributes significantly to the economy of Nairobi and is a critical node in the network of the International Air Transport Association.
Ground transportation
The airport is connected to Nairobi's city center, approximately 15 kilometers away, by the Nairobi Expressway, which significantly reduces travel time. Public transport options include frequent bus services operated by the Metropolitan Transport Authority and licensed taxi companies. Several major car rental firms, including Avis and Hertz, have desks in the arrival halls. The planned Nairobi Commuter Rail line is expected to provide a direct rail link to the Central Business District and other suburbs in the future.
Accidents and incidents
The airport has been the site of several notable aviation incidents. In 1974, a Lufthansa Boeing 747 operating Lufthansa Flight 540 crashed during takeoff, resulting in 59 fatalities. A major fire in August 2013 caused severe damage to the international arrivals hall, disrupting operations for days and leading to a major investigation by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. In 2007, a Kenya Airways Boeing 737 operating Kenya Airways Flight 507 crashed shortly after departure from Douala International Airport in Cameroon, though the flight had originated from this airport.
Category:Airports in Kenya Category:Buildings and structures in Nairobi Category:1958 establishments in Kenya