Inside JKIA Mega Expansion Plan to Rival Ethiopia

Kenya is moving forward with a Ksh 250 billion upgrade of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after cancelling a previous deal with the Adani Group.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed the revival of the plan, emphasising the government’s commitment to modernising JKIA and keeping it East and Central Africa’s leading aviation hub.

“Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to modernising JKIA, with the government signalling renewed momentum on the long-delayed expansion even as regional competitors race ahead with new airport infrastructure,” Chirchir stated.

The centrepiece is a new X-shaped passenger terminal, with the first phase designed to handle 10 million passengers, with an ultimate expansion capacity of 15 million. It will feature four piers and a central processing hall to separate domestic and international flows.

A long-overdue 4.8-kilometre second runway is scheduled for completion by June 2027. This will allow simultaneous take-offs and landings, addressing the airport’s historic “single-runway” vulnerability that has caused full shutdowns during minor incidents.

The plan also envisions an Airport City, modelled on Dubai and Istanbul, which will include hotels, logistics parks, and commercial districts to diversify revenue streams beyond flight fees.

The project comes amid rising regional competition.Ethiopia has opened a new international airport, while Rwanda is constructing Bugesera International Airport with support from Qatar, creating pressure for Kenya to strengthen JKIA’s capacity and efficiency.

President William Ruto highlighted that modern airport infrastructure is critical for tourism, trade, and Nairobi’s role as a business and diplomatic hub.

TheKenya Airports Authority (KAA) willlead the implementation, coordinating contractors, timelines, and funding. Analysts note that private investors and development partners are expected to participate, helping restore confidence among airlines, investors, and global stakeholders.

JKIA currently handles 8.6 million passengers yearly, exceeding its design capacity of 7.5 million. The airport struggles with a single runway and temporary terminals that have been in use since 2015.

The expansion aims to address these limitations with a new world-class passenger terminal and a second runway nearly five kilometres long.

Funds for the project will be sourced from international development banks, including the African Development Bank and the World Bank.

Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026. Immediate upgrades, like new boarding bridges, are expected by June 2026, the second runway by June 2027, and the main terminal by 2029.