So how many international airports are there in Kenya? The quick answer is that there are five international airports.
They are:
- Jomo Kenyatta international Airport
- Moi International Airport
- Eldoret International Airport
- Kisumu International Airport
- Isiolo International Airport
For the long answer, let us look at more information about these airports.
International Airports In Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport commonly referred to as JKIA, is the largest airport in Kenya and the main entry point into Kenya. It also boosts as the largest and busiest airport in the East and central Africa Region by the number of passengers and cargo that go through it.
Over 40 airlines currently operate to or from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to over 64 destinations. It is the home of Kenya Airways- the pride of Africa– and as such, the airline operates to over 30 destinations from the JKIA.
Quick Facts about JKIA
Location– Nairobi County, Nairobi City, 20 Kilometers from city Centre. 25 minutes via the Nairobi Expressway.
Named After– Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of Kenya who ruled Kenya from 1963 to 1978.
IATA– NBO
Moi International Airport
Moi International Airport(MIA) is located in the Kenyan Coastal city of Mombasa. Mombasa is one of Kenya’s prime tourist destination with its white sandy beaches and warm weather.
For this reason, many international airlines and even domestic airlines fly in tourists via the Moi international airport. Over 10 airlines operate in and out of Mombasa airport to over 10 destinations around the world.
Quick Facts about MIA
Location:- Mombasa City, Mombasa Country , 16 kilometers from the city center and a 44 minutes’ drive via B1 road.
Name After:– Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, the Second President of Kenya who ruled from 1978 to 2002.
IATA: MBA
Eldoret International Airport
Eldoret International airport (EIA) is Kenya’s third largest airport and one of the airports that serves the rich western region of the country. It is one of the international airport Kenya.
Several airlines both cargo and passenger operate from the airport, though most passenger airlines operate domestic flights. Though a large airport, it is underutilized with its two runways (by the way JKIA currently has one runway!)
Quick Facts about EIA
Location:– Uasin Gishu County, 16 Kilometers from Eldoret City on Eldoret- Kisumu Road.
Named After: Eldoret City, the seat of the Uasin Gishu County Government.
IATA: ELD
Kisumu International Airport Kenya
Kisumu International Airport ( KIA) just like Eldoret International Airport servers the larger western region and the city of Kisumu.
The airport also serves parts of neighboring Uganda and Tanzania on the shores of Lake Victoria. Just like Eldoret International Airport, it serves local domestic market with daily flights in and out of the city of Kisumu.
Quick Facts about KIA
Location: Kisumu Country, Kisumu City, 6 kilometers from the city center via the Busia- Mumias Road.
Named: – Kisumu City, the seat of Kisumu County Government.
IATA: KIM
Isiolo International Airport Kenya
Last but not least is the Isiolo International Airport Kenya. It is the newest kid on the block meant to open the northern part of the country.
In the past few years, there have been talk of moving the capital of Kenya from Nairobi to Isiolo. With this talk, it makes sense that the city of Isiolo have an international airport.
It is one of the Vision 2030 flagship project and a LAPSSET corridor project that is billed to connect the port city of Lamu to South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Quick Facts About IIA
Location: Isiolo City, Isiolo Country.
Named After: Isiolo City, The seat of Isiolo County government.
IATA: ISI
What Makes an Airport International
Most African governments have been accused of labeling airport ‘international’ without the having the necessary facilities.
But what makes and an airport international? According to Wikipedia, an international airport is one which has the customs and border control facilities enabling passengers to travel between countries around the world.
Do these airports on the list above meet this requirement? I leave you to decide.
Conclusion
Kenya has 5 international Airport and several 100s airstrips managed by the Kenya Airport Authority. However, among the international airports, JKIA is the busiest airport in Kenya and among the busiest in Africa.
Bonus: Did you know that in terms of size, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam Saudi Arabia is the largest? It measures over 300 square miles.
