Cargo Infrastructure at Kenyan Airports

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) manages the development and maintenance of airport infrastructure, safety and security services. However, services such as ground handling and ramp services are managed through concessions. KAA is constantly striving to achieve its mandate through continuous development of the airports and airstrips in the country.
Some of our achievements are:

Infrastructure

The Cargo Apron at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has now been expanded to accommodate 8 wide bodied aircrafts at any one time. There are five (9999995) transit sheds equipped with state of the art cold rooms namely:- Kenya Airfreight Handling, Africa Cargo Handling, Swissport, Siginon Freight and Trans Global Cargo Centre with a capacity of approximately 1,000,000 tons of cargo annually. We have also expanded roads, improved the lighting, water and sewerage systems and provided adequate parking facilities.

Safety & Security

We have installed up-to-date, top notch security systems for screening cargo and also put in place safety procedures that are in line with ICAO recommendations.

Meeting World Standards

Other regulators such as Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services, Kenya Wild Life Services, Veterinary Department and Port Health work very closely with us to ensure that international standards are met.

Private Sector Participation

We have an exclusive freight area specially earmarked for operators who deal in cut flowers and fresh produce. At JKIA, we strive to ensure that the delicate produce is handled at a strategically dedicated area within the Airport next to the cargo terminals. We also work closely with recognized clearing & forwarding agents who utilise these facilities to hasten the processes for the fresh produce before loading onto the Aircraft.

The Role of Kenya Airports Authority in economic development – Vision 2030

As part of its mandate to deliver in objectives of Vision 2030 and enhance technology in agriculture and industry or food security and national growth, KAA has put in place several strategies.

These include:

  • Infrastructure development
  • Business process automation
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Expansion of cargo facilities
  • Aggressive marketing of airports
  • Customer service focus

These have culminated into increased aircraft, passenger and cargo traffic within airports:

  • Expanded cargo apron with capacity to handle additional 5 wide-bodied aircrafts
  • Private concessionaires who have developed packing houses for horticultural
    products and flowers
  • Animal holding area to facilitate import and export of animals
  • Five modern transit sheds i.e.
    • Kenya Airways Cargo Centre – Kenya Airfreight Handling Ltd – Swissport Cargo Complex
    • Transglobal Cargo Centre
    • Signon Cargo Centre

All these facilities have cold storage facilities that handle import, export, fresh produce and specialized cargo, with a capacity to handle 1 million tonnes of cargo.