List of Airports in Kenya
As of 2024, there are 38 airports throughout the country of Kenya according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Kenya are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Kenya
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amboseli Airport | ASV | Amboseli | Small |
| 2 | Bamburi Airport | BMQ | Bamburi | Small |
| 3 | Eldoret Airport | EDL | Eldoret | Small |
| 4 | Eliye Springs Airport | EYS | Eliye Springs | Small |
| 5 | Fergusons Gulf Airport | FER | Fergusons Gulf | Small |
| 6 | Garissa Airport | GAS | Garissa | Small |
| 7 | Hola Airport | HOA | Hola | Small |
| 8 | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport | NBO | Nairobi | Medium |
| 9 | Kalokol Airport | KLK | Kalokol | Small |
| 10 | Kericho Airport | KEY | Kericho | Small |
| 11 | Kerio Valley Airport | KRV | Kerio Valley | Small |
| 12 | Kilaguni Airport | ILU | Kilaguni | Small |
| 13 | Kisumu Airport | KIS | Kisumu | Medium |
| 14 | Kitale Airport | KTL | Kitale | Small |
| 15 | Kiunga Airport | KIU | Kiunga | Small |
| 16 | Kiwayu Airport | KWY | Kiwayu | Small |
| 17 | Lake Baringo Airport | LBN | Lake Baringo | Small |
| 18 | Lake Rudolf Airport | LKU | Lake Rudolf | Small |
| 19 | Lamu Airport | LAU | Lamu | Medium |
| 20 | Liboi Airport | LBK | Liboi | Small |
| 21 | Lodwar Airport | LOK | Lodwar | Small |
| 22 | Lokichoggio Airport | LKG | Lokichoggio | Small |
| 23 | Loyangalani Airport | LOY | Loyangalani | Small |
| 24 | Malindi Airport | MYD | Malindi | Medium |
| 25 | Mandera Airport | NDE | Mandera | Small |
| 26 | Mara Lodges Airport | MRE | Mara Lodges | Small |
| 27 | Marsabit Airport | RBT | Marsabit | Small |
| 28 | Moi International Airport | MBA | Mombasa | Medium |
| 29 | Moyale Airport | OYL | Moyale | Small |
| 30 | Mumias Airport | MUM | Mumias | Small |
| 31 | Nakuru Airport | NUU | Nakuru | Small |
| 32 | Nanyuki Airport | NYK | Nanyuki | Small |
| 33 | Nyeri Airport | NYE | Nyeri | Small |
| 34 | Nzoia Airport | NZO | Nzoia | Small |
| 35 | Samburu Airport | UAS | Samburu | Small |
| 36 | Ukunda Airport | UKA | Ukunda | Small |
| 37 | Wajir Airport | WJR | Wajir | Small |
| 38 | Wilson Airport | WIL | Nairobi | Small |
Major Airports in Kenya
Kenya is a major aviation hub in East Africa, with several international and regional airports that play key roles in connecting the country to the rest of the world. The major airports in Kenya serve both domestic and international traffic, with Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) being the primary gateway for travelers. Below are details on some of the major airports in Kenya:
1. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Airport Code: NBO
Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT) – UTC +3:00
Address:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
Nearby Cities:
- Nairobi – 10 miles
- Thika – 30 miles
- Machakos – 35 miles
- Kiambu – 20 miles
- Limuru – 25 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Kenya Airways
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- British Airways
- Air India
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Lufthansa
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 7 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is located about 10 miles southeast of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Named after Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, the airport has played a central role in the country’s development as a regional hub. Originally opened in 1958 as Nairobi International Airport, it was renamed in 1978 in honor of Jomo Kenyatta after his death.
Over the years, JKIA has grown into one of Africa’s busiest airports, serving as a gateway for travelers heading to East Africa and beyond. It is a major transit point for international flights, and its strategic location in Nairobi positions it as a key hub for both business and tourism in the region. The airport is managed by Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and has undergone multiple expansions, including a terminal upgrade in the early 2010s and the construction of a second runway to accommodate growing passenger traffic.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has two main runways:
- Runway 06/24 – 4,100 meters (13,450 feet)
- Runway 15/33 – 3,500 meters (11,483 feet)
These runways are capable of handling large aircraft, including wide-body jets like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. The airport has three terminals: Terminal 1 (for domestic flights), Terminal 2 (for regional flights), and Terminal 3 (for international flights), which offer modern amenities such as lounges, duty-free shops, restaurants, and business facilities.
Ground transportation is well-developed, with access to taxis, buses, and the Nairobi Expressway, which links the airport to the city center. The airport also offers car rental services and parking facilities for long- and short-term stays.
2. Moi International Airport (MBA)
Airport Code: MBA
Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT) – UTC +3:00
Address:
Moi International Airport, Mombasa, Kenya
Nearby Cities:
- Mombasa – 4 miles
- Nyali – 5 miles
- Kwale – 20 miles
- Diani – 30 miles
- Malindi – 75 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Kenya Airways
- Fly540
- Turkish Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Air India
- Emirates
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 1 million passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Moi International Airport (MBA) is located in Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city and the main port. The airport was initially opened in 1978 to accommodate the growing demand for international flights to Mombasa, a major tourist destination on the Indian Ocean. It is named after Kenya’s second president, Daniel arap Moi.
The airport serves as a hub for domestic flights to other parts of Kenya, as well as regional flights to neighboring countries in East Africa and the Middle East. Mombasa, known for its beautiful coastline, has become a significant center for both tourism and trade, making Moi International Airport a crucial point for economic and leisure travel.
In recent years, Moi International Airport has seen improvements in infrastructure and expansion to accommodate increasing passenger numbers, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Moi International Airport has one main runway:
- Runway 14/32 – 3,100 meters (10,171 feet)
The airport is capable of handling medium-sized aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 but cannot accommodate large wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380.
The airport’s terminal offers basic amenities such as duty-free shopping, restaurants, lounges, and car rental services. The airport provides connections to Mombasa and other coastal towns, with buses, taxis, and car rentals available. The airport has also implemented measures to improve passenger experience, including enhanced check-in facilities and security screening.
3. Kisumu International Airport (KIS)
Airport Code: KIS
Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT) – UTC +3:00
Address:
Kisumu International Airport, Kisumu, Kenya
Nearby Cities:
- Kisumu – 3 miles
- Maseno – 10 miles
- Kakamega – 30 miles
- Eldoret – 90 miles
- Nairobi – 160 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Kenya Airways
- Fly540
- Jambojet
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 250,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Kisumu International Airport is located in Kisumu, a city on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. Originally known as Kisumu Airport, it was upgraded to international status in 2007 to serve regional and international flights. The airport is crucial for facilitating travel to Kenya’s western region, connecting Kisumu to Nairobi and other East African destinations.
The airport serves as an important gateway for business, tourism, and cultural exchange, especially for those traveling to Lake Victoria and the surrounding regions. It also supports trade between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The airport has seen various improvements, including terminal expansions and runway upgrades, to handle increasing traffic.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Kisumu International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 12/30 – 3,200 meters (10,499 feet)
The airport is capable of handling smaller regional aircraft such as the Boeing 737, but it does not handle wide-body aircraft. The airport terminal includes basic amenities such as check-in counters, baggage handling, and a few shops. Ground transportation includes taxis and buses linking the airport to Kisumu city center and surrounding areas.
The airport’s strategic location in western Kenya ensures its importance for both domestic and regional flights, especially with increasing trade and tourism in the area.
4. Eldoret International Airport (EDL)
Airport Code: EDL
Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT) – UTC +3:00
Address:
Eldoret International Airport, Eldoret, Kenya
Nearby Cities:
- Eldoret – 5 miles
- Kitale – 45 miles
- Nakuru – 90 miles
- Nairobi – 180 miles
- Kisumu – 115 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Kenya Airways
- Fly540
- Jambojet
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 150,000–200,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Eldoret International Airport is located in Eldoret, a major town in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. The airport was initially built to serve the agricultural and industrial sectors in the region but was upgraded to international status in the 1990s to accommodate growing passenger numbers and increased trade. The airport is especially important for the agricultural industry, providing easy access for transporting perishable goods such as flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Eldoret is a hub for athletics, particularly long-distance running, and the airport plays a role in connecting international athletes and tourists to the region. The airport also supports both domestic flights to Nairobi and international flights to regional destinations.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Eldoret International Airport has one main runway:
- Runway 10/28 – 3,400 meters (11,155 feet)
The runway is capable of handling medium-sized aircraft, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, but it does not currently support wide-body aircraft. The airport’s terminal offers basic services such as check-in counters, baggage handling, and a small restaurant.
Ground transportation includes taxis and buses, with connections to Eldoret and nearby towns. Eldoret International is vital for the region, facilitating both domestic and regional connectivity, especially for business and trade.
5. Wilson Airport (WIL)
Airport Code: WIL
Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT) – UTC +3:00
Address:
Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya
Nearby Cities:
- Nairobi – 3 miles
- Ngong – 12 miles
- Kiambu – 15 miles
- Limuru – 25 miles
Major Airlines Served:
- Kenya Airways (Domestic)
- Fly540
- Air Kenya
- SafariLink
Annual Passenger Traffic:
Approximately 500,000 passengers annually
Airport Location and History:
Wilson Airport is a major domestic airport located about 3 miles from Nairobi’s city center. It serves primarily domestic and regional flights and is one of the busiest airports in East Africa for general aviation. The airport was established in 1933 and played a significant role in East Africa’s aviation history, especially during the colonial era.
Today, Wilson is vital for domestic flights to other parts of Kenya and neighboring countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The airport also hosts a significant amount of air traffic for cargo, private aviation, and emergency medical services.
Facilities and Infrastructure:
Wilson Airport has one runway:
- Runway 08/26 – 1,900 meters (6,234 feet)
The runway is suitable for smaller regional aircraft such as the Dash 8 and Cessna Caravan, but it cannot handle larger wide-body aircraft. The airport’s terminal facilities include a waiting area, check-in counters, and cargo services. Ground transportation to the airport is accessible via taxis, shuttle services, and car rentals.
Wilson plays a key role in Kenya’s domestic and regional air travel, offering connections to key tourist destinations and serving as a base for Kenya’s charter flight industry.
