(Posted 19th May 2025)
Courtesy of Aero Trail Ltd and Mr. Alex Koech
The recently published Economic Survey 2025 by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) provides an authoritative and detailed overview of Kenya’s economic landscape, with the aviation sector emerging as a pivotal driver of growth, connectivity, and regional integration. Drawing on comprehensive data from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the survey highlights a resilient and expanding air transport industry, underscoring its critical role in facilitating trade, tourism, and economic development.
Aerodrome Infrastructure
Kenya’s aviation infrastructure remains robust and strategically diversified, supporting a wide spectrum of air transport activities. By the close of 2024, the country’s aerodrome network comprised:
- 8 Class A Aerodromes: These international airports serve as major gateways for commercial and international flights, underpinning Kenya’s global connectivity.
- 23 Class B Aerodromes: Regional and domestic airports that facilitate moderate operations, enhancing intra-national accessibility.
- 435 Class C Aerodromes: Primarily airstrips and smaller landing facilities catering to general aviation, emergency services, and specialized operations.
This extensive infrastructure base is instrumental in advancing Kenya’s vision to strengthen domestic air connectivity while consolidating its status as a premier regional and international aviation hub.
Air Operator Certificate (AoC) Holders and Fleet Composition
The sector’s dynamism is reflected in the diversity and scale of licensed operators. As of the end of 2024:
- 77 Air Operator Certificate (AoC’s) holders operated across various categories, including scheduled airlines, charter services, cargo operations, and specialized aviation activities.
- These operators managed a fleet of 726 aircraft, all certified with valid Certificates of Airworthiness (CoA), ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards.
- The workforce comprised 13,727 licensed aviation professionals, encompassing pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, cabin crew, and flight dispatchers.
- The regulatory oversight was maintained by a dedicated team of 348 KCAA Inspectors and Air Traffic Controllers, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to aviation safety and operational excellence.
Passenger Traffic
Passenger volumes demonstrated notable growth in 2024, signaling a robust recovery trajectory:
- Total passenger numbers increased by 5.1%, reaching 12.83 million compared to 12.21 million in 2023.
- International passenger traffic surged by 9.6%, totaling 7.28 million, buoyed by the introduction and reinstatement of international routes by carriers such as Brussels Airlines, AirAsia X, Etihad, and expanded services by Kenya Airways.
- Domestic passenger traffic experienced a marginal decline of 0.16%, with 5.32 million passengers recorded, suggesting potential market saturation or evolving travel preferences within the domestic segment.
Cargo Performance: Focused Export Growth Amid Slight Decline
Kenya’s airports handled 372,993 tonnes of cargo in 2024, a slight decrease of 1.7% from 379,501 tonnes in 2023. Despite this overall dip:
- The proportion of exports in total cargo throughput increased from 82.9% to 83.1%, reflecting sustained demand for Kenyan export commodities, particularly perishables.
- Mail cargo volumes continued to decline, falling from 600.5 tonnes to 594.5 tonnes, influenced by the rise of digital communication and changing logistics trends.
Aircraft Movements
Aircraft movements exhibited a positive trend, with total movements rising by 1% to 360,723 in 2024:
International aircraft movements increased by 4.9%, reaching 89,564, underscoring Kenya’s expanding role in global air traffic networks.
Overflights through Kenyan airspace grew by 1.7%, from 63,771 to 64,844, affirming the strategic importance of Kenya’s airspace in regional and international aviation.
Domestic aircraft movements saw a slight reduction from 207,962 to 206,315, reflecting a stable or potentially saturated domestic market.
Conclusion
The Economic Survey 2025 paints a compelling picture of Kenya’s aviation sector as it navigates recovery and growth post Covid-19, particularly in international markets. While domestic indicators show minor contractions, the overall trajectory is positive, characterized by enhanced connectivity, increased passenger volumes, and sustained investment in infrastructure and human capital development.
Kenya’s continued efforts to refine its regulatory framework and attract international carriers position the country favorably as the aviation gateway to East and Central Africa. These developments not only bolster tourism and trade but also reinforce Kenya’s strategic ambition to be a competitive and sustainable regional aviation hub, driving long-term economic resilience and integration.
