Kenya is one of the most vibrant country in East Africa both economically and politically. It is largely developed too in terms of infrastructure and its capital city Nairobi is the headquarters to major world bodies and organizations like the United Nations? UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme).



Throughout the year, Kenya receives a large number of tourists who are drawn into the country by her famous wildlife, diverse culture and a fertile investment ground. The number of visitors has in the recent past increased greatly, most of them coming into the country by air.

Air travel in Kenya is very well developed and the country has the biggest air port in East and Central Africa. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is 16 kilometres from the capital Nairobi. It is a very busy terminus with thousands of people passing through it every day either by direct flights or connecting fights. To get to and from this airport, there are shuttle buses operating from the capital city direct to the airport. Taxis are another option for travellers from the city to the airport and back. The information desk makes taxi bookings at all times and the prices are pocket friendly.

The other major airport in Kenya is the Moi International Airport in Mombasa. It also receives a great number of people everyday, most of them tourists to this coastal town. Most of the flights in this airport are usually chartered flights. This airport is located 10 kilometres from the town centre with taxis being the major mode of transport to and from the airport.

The Eldoret International Airport is the third largest in the country. It is located in Eldoret town which is on the agricultural rich Western side of Kenya. Others are the Wilson Airport in Nairobi and the Kisumu Airport in Kisumu town located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Most planes flying from the capital city to other parts of the country usually take off at Wilson airport, leaving the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to handle international traffic

Besides the major airports in Kenya, there are numerous airstrips distributed around the country. The major ones include the Malindi Airport, the Lokichoggio Airport, the Manda and Ukunda airports. Other areas in Kenya are well covered by airstrips and this allows the convenience of access to these places some of which are home to national parks and game reserves. These include Amboseli served by the Amboseli airstrip, Voi served by Voi airstrip and the Maasai Mara served by both Keekorok and Mara Serena airstrips.

Kenya Airways is the national carrier and it flies to almost all destinations in the world. There are direct flights to all the major destinations that include Britain and France although it is yet to provide direct flights to America. Other major operators in Kenya include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Emirates Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Gulf Air, Air Tanzania, South African Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

The Kenyan Government is very keen on security especially in the major airports. At the same time, due to the ever increasing number of travellers passing through the JKIA, there is a plan that the government has laid down to largely expand this airport. Already, the first phase of this project is underway.

Air travel in Kenya has witnessed a lot of growth in the recent past and more airlines have added to the huge number of those already operating.