KAA Moves to Review Airport Charges at JKIA, Wilson and 3 Other Airports as December Deadline Nears

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has launched a review of charges paid by businesses operating at five major Kenyan airports, inviting stakeholders and members of the public to submit their views before December 1, 2026.

The proposed review covers Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kisumu International Airport and Eldoret International Airport.

In a public notice, KAA said the review aims to align airport concession fees with prevailing market rates while addressing rising operational, maintenance and infrastructure development costs.

The authority noted that the existing Concession Order was introduced in 1996, making an update necessary to reflect changes in the business environment and the cost of running airport facilities.

However, KAA has not yet announced the new rates or confirmed which businesses could face higher charges following the review.

Under the current fee structure, ground-handling companies serving passengers and cargo pay between 7% and 12% of their annual gross turnover. Cargo-only handlers pay between 7% and 10%, with both categories subject to a minimum annual fee of KSh1 million.

Duty-free shops are charged 10% of turnover, with a minimum annual charge of KSh25,962 per square metre, according to the published schedule.

Other businesses, including courier companies, clearing and forwarding agents, cargo consolidators, taxi counters, car-hire operators and travel desks, generally pay 6% of turnover. Minimum annual charges vary depending on the category of business.

Additional charges apply to other airport activities. Aviation fuel uplift sales attract a fee of KSh350 per cubic metre, while cargo handling at Wilson Airport is listed at KSh6 per kilogram.

Advertising fees also differ by format. Billboards and hoardings attract charges equivalent to 50% of gross turnover, compared with 25% for other advertising formats.

The latest review follows an earlier attempt to change how certain cargo-related fees were calculated. In 2011, KAA proposed a charge of KSh0.50 per kilogram, subject to a minimum of KSh250 per airway bill or consignment, to replace the percentage-based levy on the annual turnover of clearing and forwarding agents. That proposal was not approved.

Any changes resulting from the current review could affect the operating costs of companies using airport facilities. The final impact, however, will depend on the rates eventually adopted and the categories covered.

KAA has invited government agencies, airlines, cargo companies, ground handlers, transport providers, hospitality businesses, financial institutions, concessionaires and members of the public to participate in the process.

Interested parties have until December 1, 2026, to submit written comments through marketing.publicparticipation@kaa.go.ke. The relevant review documents are available on the authority’s official website.

The authority has also scheduled public participation forums in four locations on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.

In Nairobi, the meeting will take place at Panari Hotel from 9am to noon, covering JKIA and its cargo operations, as well as Wilson Airport.

Stakeholders discussing Moi International Airport will meet at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort and Spa in Mombasa from 8am to noon.

In Kisumu, the forum will be held at Acacia Premier Hotel from 8am to noon, focusing on Kisumu International Airport. A similar meeting covering Eldoret International Airport is scheduled at Boma Inn Hotel in Eldoret, also from 8am to noon.

The review comes as KAA pursues changes to its commercial and operational framework following its transition into a public limited company in June 2026.

The authority is also pursuing major infrastructure development plans, including the proposed KSh154.2 billion expansion of JKIA.

For businesses operating at the affected airports, the consultation process offers an opportunity to raise concerns about the existing fee structure and give feedback before KAA finalises any changes.

Until the authority publishes the revised schedule, the proposed review should not be interpreted as confirmation that all airport concession charges will increase.