According to the Kenyan government, projections indicate a significant rise in the traffic at JKIA, with passenger numbers anticipated to soar to 42.1 million annually by 2050
The Kenyan Cabinet has approved the National Aviation Policy, which seeks to maximise the contribution of the aviation sector to Kenya’s growth.
In a press statement issued by the office of the President of Kenya, the centrepiece of this plan is the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, that is set for a major facelift as Kenya looks to leverage the facility as the regional travel hub.
The statement adds that the government seeks to enhance connectivity at both the national and international levels and also aims at fortifying the intricate relationship between tourism and aviation. It says the newly approved policy endeavours to harness the full potential of the aviation sector in propelling Kenya’s economic growth.
According to the Kenyan government, projections indicate a significant rise in the traffic at JKIA, with passenger numbers anticipated to soar to 42.1 million annually by 2050.
It says that by prioritising connectivity on both domestic and international fronts, the policy sets out to amplify the sector’s contribution to the nation’s prosperity.
The comprehensive plan encompasses upgrades to various critical components of JKIA, including the passenger terminal, runway, taxiway, apron and airside facilities. Some key aspects related to JKIA’s medium-term investment plan include the Kenya Airspace Master Plan which outlines the evolution and associated investments to be made by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) in Air Navigation Services (ANS) over the next 15 years.
The government’s objectives include global and regional consistency, legal and regulatory considerations, and stakeholder expectations. The plan covers operational evolutions, technical improvements, and human resources development. Kenya also unveiled its National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP) as part of its commitment to enhancing air travel security, which was developed in consultation with national operators and other stakeholders.
Aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP), the NASP outlines objectives, strategic priorities, and safety actions to be taken over three years from 2023 to 2025.
Key elements of the plan include identifying national safety issues, setting aviation safety goals and targets, implementing safety enhancement initiatives (SEIs), and collaborating with industry stakeholders and agencies responsible for safety oversight, says the statement.
