Building the Future
of Kenyan Aviation
The JKIA Integrated Master Plan anchors a 20-year, phased roadmap for terminal, cargo, and runway expansion across KAA's wider national infrastructure programme.
KES 500B+
Capital Investment
30+
Active Projects
60%
Capacity Increase
2045
Completion Target
© 2026 Kenya Airports Authority. All rights reserved.
Why the Expansion is Necessary
JKIA currently handles approximately 8.93 million passengers annually, already exceeding its designed capacity of 7.5 million passengers per year. The airport is experiencing congestion across its runway system, passenger terminals, apron areas, and landside access roads.
With passenger traffic projected to grow to 22.31 million by 2045 and air cargo volumes expected to more than double, strategic infrastructure development is essential to sustain Kenya's regional hub status and support national economic growth.
A Fully Integrated Masterplan & Feasibility Study
The Kenya Airports Authority commissioned Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners), a globally recognised engineering and aviation consultancy, to prepare an Integrated Master Plan and Feasibility Study for JKIA. Completed in January 2026, the study assessed long-term aviation demand over a 20-year horizon and defined a phased development strategy to address capacity constraints, enhance operational efficiency, and safeguard land for future expansion.
With the existing terminal already operating beyond its designed capacity, the masterplan identifies immediate short-term interventions alongside a comprehensive long-term expansion programme — accommodating a projected 22.31 million passengers and more than 860,000 tonnes of cargo annually by 2045.
20-Year Demand Assessment
Assess long-term aviation demand and anticipate growth trajectories to 2045.
Multimodal Mobility
Develop a multimodal mobility framework for passenger and freight systems across JKIA and Nairobi.
Airport-City Development
Define infrastructure enabling airport-city development, integrating commercial, logistics, and residential zones.
African Aviation Leadership
Reassert Kenya's position as a premier African aviation gateway, competitive with global hub airports.
New Terminal Building & Dual Runway Configuration
A new 230,000 sqm X-shaped passenger terminal, a 4,500m parallel runway, expanded aprons, and a segregated access road network — the centrepiece of the long-term expansion programme.
Three-Phase Development Plan
The JKIA Masterplan is structured in three phased tranches, balancing immediate capacity needs with long-term infrastructure ambition.
- Construction of rapid exit and partial parallel taxiways
- Development of additional aircraft parking stands
- Optimisation and expansion of terminal processing areas
- Digitalisation of passenger services
- Landside parking and access improvements
- Capacity increase to approximately 12 million passengers p.a.
Passenger Growth to 2045
Forecast results project strongly growing traffic demand to 22.31 million passengers by 2045, with an overall CAGR of 4.6%.
Annual Passenger Forecast (thousands)
Source: JKIA New Terminal Masterplan — DAR Group
Freight Volume Forecast
Cargo throughput is expected to double from 390,000 tonnes in 2024 to 860,000 tonnes by 2045, with exports growing fastest at 4.0% CAGR.
Annual Cargo Volume (thousands of tonnes)
Source: JKIA New Terminal Masterplan — DAR Group
Airport City & Special Economic Zone
Beyond aviation infrastructure, the Master Plan incorporates the development of an Airport City and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). These initiatives will position JKIA as an integrated aviation-driven economic hub, attracting logistics, manufacturing, trade, hospitality, and commercial investments.
The development will generate employment, enhance non-aeronautical revenue streams, and strengthen Kenya's competitiveness as a regional trade and transport hub in line with national development objectives.
Logistics & Freight
Integrated cargo and warehousing zones
Manufacturing
SEZ-enabled light industry & processing
Trade & Commerce
Duty-free and commercial districts
Employment Hub
Thousands of direct and indirect jobs
Project Timeline
From the completed masterplan to short-term improvements and long-term expansion — the critical milestones guiding JKIA's transformation.
Master Plan Completed
Integrated Master Plan & Feasibility Study by Dar Al-Handasah finalised.
Improvement Works
Short-term interventions targeting 12 MAP capacity.
Expansion Works
New 4,500m runway and 230,000 sqm terminal delivery.
Full Build-Out
22.31M passengers, land safeguarded for third runway.
Interested in Investment Opportunities?
Explore KAA's investor relations and procurement opportunities linked to the masterplan.