The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has launched plans to build a dedicated aviation centre for private and business aircraft at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), seeking a private investor to develop and operate the facility as demand for executive air travel continues to grow.
The authority is looking for a fixed base operator (FBO), a private company licensed to provide aviation services at a public airport, to establish and manage the facility under a concession agreement.
According to KAA, the project will serve private jet owners, executive and charter flights, diplomatic missions, medical evacuation aircraft and other general aviation operators using JKIA.
"Kenya Airports Authority intends to procure a qualified investor, developer and operator to design, finance, construct, equip, operate, maintain and manage an integrated premium aviation and hospitality facility on approximately five acres of airport land," KAA said.
A fixed base operator offers specialised services that are separate from commercial airline terminals. These include aircraft fueling, hangar facilities, ground handling, aircraft maintenance coordination and premium passenger services for private and business aviation.
KAA said the investor will develop an executive passenger lounge, VIP arrival and departure reception areas, a crew lounge, briefing and flight planning rooms, an operations control office, passenger and baggage facilitation areas, as well as immigration, customs, health and security facilities.
The project will also include crew accommodation, secure luggage storage, airport shuttle services or controlled access transport, together with boutique and luxury retail outlets targeting high-end travellers.
Kenya remains East Africa's leading private aviation market, with JKIA and Wilson Airport serving as the country's main centres for executive and private aircraft operations.
The planned investment comes as the government moves ahead with a wider modernisation programme at JKIA aimed at expanding capacity and improving passenger experience.
The airport expansion is expected to cost Sh116 billion. Of this amount, Sh81 billion will come from a loan, while the remaining Sh35 billion will be raised through a securitised bond and the recently established Infrastructure Fund.
The project is expected to increase JKIA's annual passenger handling capacity from the current 7.5 million to 22 million through the construction of a new passenger terminal and improvements to existing facilities, including runways and aprons.
The expansion was delayed after the government cancelled an agreement with India's Adani Group in 2024 following the indictment of the company's founder in the United States.
The project has since moved forward after China Road and Bridge Corporation secured a Sh154.2 billion contract in June to construct the new terminal and upgrade existing airport infrastructure to support the planned increase in passenger numbers.
To support the expansion, the government has appointed Africa's Trade and Development Bank and Africa Finance Corporation to arrange financing for the $900 million (Sh116 billion) programme.
KAA is also preparing to introduce new passenger processing technology at JKIA through the installation of the Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) and the Common User Self-Service (CUSS) platform.
The systems, which follow International Air Transport Association standards, will allow different airlines to share check-in counters, baggage drop facilities and boarding gates, helping improve efficiency while making better use of airport space.
Passengers will also be able to check in, print boarding passes, print baggage tags and choose seats through self-service kiosks before proceeding to their flights.