List of International Airports in Kenya and Their Location

Kenya has 5 international airports that serve as major entry and exit points. The airports contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth, particularly in tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. I am here to give details about these airports and their location.

International airports are equipped to handle passengers and goods from different countries in the world. These airports have custom facilities that determine what enters or leaves the country. They are typically larger featuring longer runways for heavier aircraft.

Some domestic flights also operate from these airports as they connect to various destinations in the country fostering tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. In summary, here is a list of international airports in Kenya, their IATA code, and where they are located.

Airport name	IATA Code	Location
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport	NBO	Nairobi
Moi International Airport	MBA	Mombasa
Kisumu International Airport	KIS	Kisumu
Eldoret International Airport	EDL	Eldoret
Malindi International Airport	MYD	Malindi

International Airports in Kenya

At least now you know the international airports in Kenya and where they are located. Now let me explain a little more about their history, significance, and capacity.

1. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is the largest and busiest airport in Kenya and the entire East African region. It is located in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. This airport boasts over 40 passenger airlines and 25 cargo airlines with scheduled flights to over 50 countries in the world.

Formerly known as the Nairobi International Airport, JKIA was established in 1978.  It was later renamed after Jomo Kenyatta, the first president and prime minister of the Republic of Kenya. The airport remains a significant transport hub in the region and home to the country’s national carrier Kenya Airways.

There are two terminals at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Terminal 1 is divided into five parts; 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1E used for international arrivals and departures,  and 1D for domestic departures and arrivals. All the 5 sections are connected via walkways and bridges.

Terminal 2 is located about 1 km north of Terminal 1 and bus shuttle service is often provided for free to assist passengers connecting between the two. It also handles international and domestic passengers. Some of the airlines operating from T2 are the African Air Express, Fly 540, Jubba, and Sax among others.

2. Moi International Airport (MBA)

Moi International Airport located in Mombasa is Kenya’s second largest airport. The transport hub serves as a gateway to the country’s coastal region with an easy connection to pristine beaches, resorts, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. 

The airport caters to domestic and international travelers fostering trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. It has two terminals with Terminal 1 serving international arrivals and Terminal 2 housing domestic arrival desks and departure halls.

Moi International Airport sees approximately 20 flights flown daily with hundreds of guests arriving from Europe, the Middle East, China, and other parts of Africa. Airlines such as Kenya Airways, British Airways, and Emirates connect many from Mombasa to key destinations in other parts of the world.

“The prestigious Airports Council International (ACI World) has awarded Moi International Airport (MIA), Mombasa, the 2023 Best Airport in by Size and Region in the Under 2 million Passenger per Year category for Africa.” Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Transport says the airport received this recognition for its exceptional passenger experiences.

3. Kisumu International Airport (KIS)

Kisumu International Airport is Kenya’s third-largest air transport hub. Located on the shores of Lake Victoria this airport is the busiest in the western region of the country, serving both domestic and international flights. It is equipped with a VIP lounge, restaurants, and duty-free shops.

With most flights heading to and from Nairobi, Kisumu International Airport is an important link for travelers with an interest in Western Kenya, particularly Kisumu City. The airport can handle different types of aircraft although major international airlines are yet to utilize it. 

Kisumu International Airport is a hub for several airlines including Kenya Airways, Fly 540, AirKenya Express, Jambojet, and Fly Safarilink among others. 

4. Eldoret International Airport (EDL)

Eldoret International Airport is located in Uasin Gishu County approximately 11 miles south of Eldoret City. The airport was established to serve domestic and international flights for travelers with an interest in Rift Valley and other regions in the western part of the country.

Although it receives several international cargo flights, Eldoret International Airport primarily operates domestic flights, and no direct international passenger flights are available. However, it is a vital connection to other major international airports in the country. 

5. Malindi International Airport

Malindi International Airport is located in Malindi, a prominent coastal town in Kenya along the Indian Ocean coastline. This airport primarily serves domestic flights but is equipped to handle a few international airlines. There is a VIP lounge, restaurants, and duty-free shops.

International travelers looking to fly to and from Malindi must take connecting flights with stopovers at other airports, particularly the Moi International Airport. The flight time between the two airports is about 25 minutes.

Final thought

Kenya has a well-developed air transport industry, operated by the Kenya Airports Authority. The 5 international airports in Kenya are Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport, Kisumu International Airport, Eldoret International Airport, and Malindi International Airport respectively. 

The country’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, is the largest airline in the country operating both domestic and international flights. It is situated at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport which is also the largest and busiest airport in the East African region. 

In addition to Kenya Airways, several international airlines operate both passenger and cargo flights in Kenya. They include Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Emirates, and British Airways among others.