Nairobi Airport, officially Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, is Kenya’s main international airport and the busiest airport in the country. Commonly known as JKIA and identified by the code NBO, it serves Nairobi as the city’s principal aviation gateway for international travel, domestic connections, regional flights, and cargo movement. JKIA is located in Embakasi, Nairobi and is operated by the Kenya Airports Authority.

What is Nairobi Airport?

Nairobi Airport is the common search term for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. For travellers, the names Nairobi Airport, JKIA, NBO Airport, and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport all refer to the same airport. It is Kenya’s main international airport and one of the most important aviation hubs in East Africa. In 2024, the airport handled more than 9 million passengers, more than 360,000 aircraft movements, and more than 364,000 tonnes of freight traffic.

Quick Facts

JKIA Airport Facts	Details
Official Name	Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Common Name	Nairobi Airport
Abbreviation	JKIA (pronounced as Jay-Kay-Eye-Ay)
IATA Code	NBO
ICAO Code	HKJK
WMO Code	63740
Airport Type	Public international airport
Operator	Kenya Airports Authority
Serves	Kenya from the Nairobi Metropolitan Region
Location	Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya
Coordinates	S 01°19’09.2’’ E 036°55’39.9’’
Elevation	5,330 ft (1,624 m) above mean sea level
Time Zone	East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3
Opened	9 March 1958
Former Name	Embakasi Airport
Runway	06/24
Runway Length	13,507 ft / 4,117 m
Runway Surface	Asphalt / bitumen
Terminal Structure	Terminal 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) and Terminal 2
Domestic Terminal	Terminal 1D
Low-Cost Carrier Terminal	Terminal 2
Hub For	Kenya Airways, Jambojet, African Express Airways
Passenger Traffic (2024)	9,067,400 passengers
Aircraft Movements (2024)	360,723
Freight Traffic (2024)	364,822 tonnes
Official Authority Website	Kenya Airports Authority — kaa.go.ke

Is JKIA the same as Nairobi Airport?

Yes. JKIA, NBO Airport, and Nairobi Airport all refer to the same airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. JKIA is the abbreviation of the full airport name, while NBO is the IATA airport code used by airlines, ticketing systems, and flight information platforms.

Because Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the city’s main airport, many travellers naturally refer to it as Nairobi Airport. That usage is especially common among international visitors, who may know they are flying into Nairobi without necessarily using the full official airport name. Located southeast of the city, JKIA serves as Nairobi’s main international gateway while also handling domestic and regional flights.

Nairobi is also home to Wilson Airport, a much smaller airport located about 17.2 km from JKIA, which mainly handles domestic, charter, and safari flights. By contrast, JKIA is Nairobi’s main international airport and the city’s primary gateway for long-haul, regional, and international commercial travel.

Read about JKIA Naming including why its official code is NBO and not JKIA.

Where is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport?

JKIA is in Embakasi, Nairobi, about 18 km southeast of Nairobi CBD, within Nairobi City County and generally associated with Embakasi East Constituency. To be specific, the Airport is in Embakasi East Constituency under Hon. Babu Owino and is part of Nairobi’s metropolitan area.

JKIA terminals explained

JKIA’s current public terminal structure includes Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with Terminal 1 divided into several sections. Public airport summaries identify Terminal 1A for international departures and arrivals, 1B and 1C for international departures, 1D for domestic flights, 1E for international arrivals, and Terminal 2 for low-cost carriers.

Short terminal summaries

Terminal 1A
Major international passenger terminal area used for international departures and arrivals.

Terminal 1B
Part of the international departures system.

Terminal 1C
Also supports international departure operations.

Terminal 1D
The domestic terminal area for domestic arrivals and departures.

Terminal 1E
Publicly described as the international arrivals terminal.

Terminal 2
Primarily associated with low-cost carrier operations

Arrivals at Nairobi Airport

JKIA Arrivals exceed 100 flights daily although total daily aircraft movements across all operations average much higher when cargo and non-passenger flights are included.

Arrivals at JKIA usually involve immigration, baggage reclaim, customs clearance, and then pickup or onward transfer. As Kenya’s main international airport, the arrival experience can vary by airline, terminal, and passenger volume, so travellers should always allow time after landing before expecting to exit the airport.

• Immigration and Customs: Arriving passengers pass through immigration, baggage claim, and customs before exiting into the public arrivals area.
• Baggage Claim: Clear signage, flight information screens, and multiple conveyor belts help passengers retrieve luggage efficiently.
• Ground Transportation: Arrivals have access to taxis, hotel transfers, private pickups, Uber, Bolt, and public transport options.
• Meet and Greet Services: Designated pickup areas make it easier for drivers, hotel representatives, and family members to meet arriving passengers.
• Facilities: The arrivals area offers useful services including ATMs, currency exchange, medical support, and free WiFi.
• Passenger Planning: Travellers should keep documents ready, confirm pickup arrangements in advance, and allow extra time for immigration and baggage processing.

Departures from JKIA

Flights departing JKIA also range 100 to 115 daily with destinations within Kenya, East Africa and far locations such as North America with Kenya Airways having weekly scheduled departures to JFK.

Current public route data shows NBO has direct scheduled links to about 65 destinations in roughly 42 countries, with especially dense coverage across East Africa, the Horn of Africa, Southern Africa, the Gulf, Europe, and key domestic routes within Kenya.

Passengers departing from JKIA should confirm their airline, terminal, reporting time, baggage rules, and route to the airport before travel. This matters because Kenya’s transport ministry has publicly described JKIA as experiencing significant congestion across runway, apron, and terminal systems, which reinforces the need to arrive early and plan conservatively.

• Check-In and Terminal Access: Passengers should confirm their airline and terminal before leaving for the airport and arrive with enough time for check-in or bag drop.
  • Check-In: JKIA departures have multiple check-in counters across the terminal system, with clearly assigned areas for different airlines and flight categories.
• Security and Departure Processing: Departures at JKIA usually involve terminal entry, check-in, security screening, immigration for international flights, and then access to the departure lounge and boarding gates.
• Time Planning: Travellers should leave early and allow extra time for Nairobi traffic, airport queues, and peak-hour congestion.
• Security Screening: Passengers go through security checks that include baggage screening and personal screening before entering the main departure areas.
• Boarding Gates: Boarding gates are well marked, with seating areas and flight information screens to help passengers follow boarding updates easily.
• Lounges: Departure passengers may access lounges such as Simba Lounge, Pride Lounge, Turkish Airlines Lounge, and Swissport Aspire Lounge, depending on airline, class of travel, or lounge eligibility.
• Shops and Restaurants: The departures area includes duty-free shopping, gift and craft outlets, travel essentials, and dining options such as Java House, KFC, and Dormans Coffee.
• Flight Information: Departure screens and airline updates help passengers confirm flight timing, gate information, and boarding status.
• Travel Planning: Keeping passports, boarding documents, and baggage details ready helps make the departure process smoother.

What does NBO mean?

NBO is the IATA airport code for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. It is the code used on airline tickets, luggage tags, booking systems, and flight information displays. The airport’s ICAO code is HKJK.

Who operates Nairobi Airport?

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is operated by the Kenya Airports Authority, the state corporation responsible for managing major airports in Kenya.

Facilities and Services

Lounges: Simba Lounge, Pride Lounge, Turkish Airlines Lounge, Swissport Aspire Lounge. Read about JKIA Lounges.
Hotels: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport, Lazizi Premiere Nairobi. Read about JKIA Hotels
Restaurants and Cafes: Java House, KFC, Dormans Coffee, The Mara Lounge, and more
Shops: Duty-free shops, local craft stores, electronics, bookshops
ATMs and Currency Exchange: Available in various terminals
Medical Facilities: First aid and emergency medical services available
WiFi: Free WiFi available throughout the airport
Business Centers: Meeting rooms and business services available in certain lounges

Destinations:

JKIA’s route network is broad and hub-oriented. Current public route data shows NBO has direct scheduled links to about 65 destinations in roughly 42 countries, with especially strong connectivity across East Africa, Southern Africa, the Gulf, Europe, and key domestic routes within Kenya.

Important arrival and departure markets include cities such as Addis Ababa, Entebbe, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Dubai, Doha, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Mumbai, Bangkok, New York, and Guangzhou, alongside domestic links such as Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret.

The airline mix reflects Nairobi’s role as Kenya’s main international hub. Kenya Airways is the dominant home carrier, but JKIA is also served by major international and regional airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, Air Tanzania, Airlink, Brussels Airlines, Jambojet, and African Express, among others.

In practical terms, that makes JKIA the country’s main gateway for international arrivals, regional business travel, long-haul connectivity, and onward domestic travel.

Your Reliable Guide to JKIA:

JKIAirport.com is an independent passenger guide to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, created to help travellers understand and navigate Nairobi’s main airport with greater confidence. While it is not the official airport website, it is designed as a practical, regularly updated reference point for passengers looking for clear information on terminals, arrivals, departures, transport, lounges, airport hotels, facilities, and travel planning at JKIA.

The site brings together the key details travellers most often need in one place, using structured guides, airport-specific pages, and easy-to-follow explanations tailored to real passenger questions. By focusing specifically on JKIA, covering the airport’s main passenger processes in depth, and organizing information in a way that is simple to search and use, JKIAirport.com serves as an authoritative independent resource for people travelling through Kenya’s busiest and most important international airport.

Why JKIA matters

JKIA is Kenya’s principal international air gateway. It links Nairobi with destinations in more than 50 countries and functions as an important hub for Kenya Airways, Jambojet, and African Express Airways. For many passengers, it is the main airport for international arrivals into Kenya and the main connection point for onward travel across the country.

History of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

The airport opened on 9 March 1958 as Embakasi Airport. In 1978, it was renamed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in honour of Kenya’s first president. That history matters because older aviation references and historical material may still use the name Embakasi Airport.

Airport growth and future development

JKIA continues to face pressure from growth in passenger demand. In March 2026, Kenya’s transport ministry said the airport was experiencing significant congestion in its runway, apron, and passenger terminal systems, and referenced a tender to construct a new airport at JKIA and upgrade existing facilities.

Airport Expansion Plans:

• Capacity Pressure: JKIA is operating above its current annual design capacity. Kenya’s transport ministry said the airport handled about 8.93 million passengers in 2025 against a design capacity of roughly 7.5 million passengers a year, while KAA has also described current capacity at about 8 million.
• Adani Proposal: The proposed Adani-led expansion was tied to a 30-year lease-style arrangement to modernise and manage JKIA, but it triggered major public and political backlash over transparency, control, and national interest concerns.
• Public Uproar and Cancellation: Following that uproar, the Kenyan government confirmed the Adani-linked JKIA deal was cancelled, and KAA later said there were no ongoing talks with Adani or its affiliates over the airport.
• Current Expansion Plan: Kenya has shifted to a government-led expansion plan under JKIA’s Integrated Master Plan, focusing on upgrading the existing terminal, building a new terminal in phases, and adding a second runway.
• Future Capacity Goal: Current plans aim to raise capacity significantly, with the upgraded existing terminal and phased new terminal development intended to handle well above current levels, with some official and business reporting pointing to long-term capacity targets of around 12 million to more than 20 million passengers annually.

More additional helpful info on JKIA:

• Transportation: JKIA is accessed mainly via Mombasa Road (A109) and is served by taxis, Uber, Bolt, matatus, hotel shuttles, private airport transfers, and car hire services, with both short-term and long-term parking available.
• Cargo Services: JKIA is a major cargo gateway served by airlines such as DHL Aviation, Emirates SkyCargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, and Ethiopian Cargo, supported by dedicated cargo terminals, warehousing, and cold storage facilities.
• Security and Safety: Customs and immigration are handled by the Kenya Revenue Authority and Directorate of Immigration Services, while airport security is managed by the Airports Police Unit together with private security teams; the airport also has an on-site fire station with modern firefighting capability.
• Expansion and Development: JKIA continues to face growth pressure, with plans and discussions around new terminal capacity, a future second runway, and wider expansion to handle rising passenger demand, alongside ongoing debate over possible long-term PPP-style management arrangements.
• Passenger Services: The airport offers VIP services, accessibility features for disabled passengers, and lost-and-found support, making it better equipped for a wide range of traveller needs.
• Weather and Layovers: Travellers often monitor Nairobi weather before arrival or departure, and many use long layovers to explore nearby attractions, including Nairobi National Park.
• Layover Tours: JKIA is well placed for short Nairobi layover experiences, with travellers often seeking guided city visits, airport safaris, and quick excursions during longer stopovers.
• Car Rental and Transfers: Passengers can arrange city hotel transfers, airport pickups, and 4WD vehicle rentals for longer journeys from JKIA to destinations such as the Masai Mara and other parts of Kenya.
• Other Airport Services: Common support services linked to JKIA include meet and assist services and airport parking guidance for departing and arriving passengers.

Frequently asked questions about Nairobi Airport

What is the official name of Nairobi Airport?

The official name is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Is Nairobi Airport the same as JKIA?

Yes. Nairobi Airport and JKIA are different names for the same airport.

What does NBO mean?

NBO is the IATA airport code for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Where is JKIA located?

JKIA is in Embakasi, Nairobi, about 18 kilometres southeast of central Nairobi.

Does JKIA have multiple terminals?

Yes. Public airport descriptions show Terminal 1 split into several sections and Terminal 2 as an additional passenger terminal.

Is Terminal 1D domestic?

Yes. Terminal 1D is publicly described as the domestic terminal area.

Who operates JKIA?

JKIA is operated by the Kenya Airports Authority.

Is JKIA the busiest airport in Kenya?

Yes. JKIA handled more than 9 million passengers in 2024, making it the busiest airport in Kenya.

Welcome to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi Airport, officially Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, is Kenya’s main international airport and the primary air gateway to Nairobi. Whether travellers search for JKIA, NBO Airport, or the full official name, they are looking for the same airport: the country’s busiest aviation hub and the main starting point for international travel into Kenya.