JKIA has officially received the Last Point of Departure (LPD) certificate allowing Kenya Airways to fly directly to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The certificate was presented to Kenya Airways by US Ambassador Bob Godec in an event presided by Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport Mr. James Macharia and the ministry’s Principle Secretary, Ms. Esther Koimett.

While speaking at the event, KAA Board Chairman, Mr. Isaac Awondo noted that authority sees the certification as an endorsement by the International Aviation community on the investment recently made at JKIA in improving infrastructure and enhancing security, safety and passenger experience at Kenyan airports.

“The direct US flight has come at a time when we are aggressive on providing superior customer experience excellence at our Airports. Our new vision for JKIA is to ensure stress free travel. I want to assure you that we are committed to providing a world-class and seamless service throughout the passenger’s journey from the moment they disembark to the point they leave our Airports.” said Awondo.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the formal approval marked a major milestone in Kenya’s aviation industry. “Going forward, it will make our country an attractive destination and open up fresh opportunities for investment, trade and tourism,” he added.

Early this year, Kenya was granted Category One status by the US Federal Aviation Administration, paving way for direct flights between the two countries. This set the stage for the national airline and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to seek final regulatory clearances before the launch of the maiden direct flight from Nairobi to the US.