Kenya has announced plans to commence construction of a new, modern airport at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in 2026, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s role as a regional aviation, trade and tourism hub.
President William Ruto made the disclosure in his New Year address, describing the project as a critical national investment that will anchor Kenya as the aviation capital of East Africa. He said the government is determined to fast-track the development, noting that expanded and modern aviation infrastructure is essential for economic growth, improved regional connectivity and increased competitiveness.
According to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the new airport is expected to significantly ease congestion at JKIA, which has been operating above its designed capacity. In 2025, the airport handled an estimated 8.6 million passengers, exceeding its planned capacity of 7.5 million, a situation that has placed growing pressure on existing facilities.
The proposed development follows the collapse of earlier expansion plans for JKIA. In November 2024, the Kenyan government cancelled a $1.85 billion agreement with India’s Adani Group, which would have added a second runway and upgraded passenger terminals under a 30-year concession arrangement. That proposal was scrapped after legal disputes and sustained public opposition.
With the new plan, the government is signalling a fresh approach to modernising JKIA, focusing on boosting capacity, improving passenger experience and supporting Kenya’s long-term ambitions in trade, tourism and regional air connectivity. If delivered as planned, the new airport infrastructure is expected to position Nairobi as one of Africa’s leading aviation gateways in the coming decade.
