NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has granted air service licences to 38 aviation operators, allowing them to conduct various passenger, cargo, and specialised aviation services within Kenya and internationally.
In a gazette notice dated March 7, the aviation regulator said the approvals were issued following applications previously published in a December 2025 notice. The decisions were made in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act and the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2018.
Mix of passenger, cargo, and specialised aviation services
According to KCAA, the licences cover a wide range of aviation services, including scheduled and non-scheduled passenger flights, cargo transport, emergency medical evacuation, aerial surveys, flight training, and sightseeing operations.
Most of the licences were granted for one year starting January 29, 2026, while others were approved for three-year periods depending on the category of services applied for.
Airlines and operators approved
Among the aviation operators granted licences are **Daallo Airlines, Bluebird Aviation, Seven Four Eight Air Services, Buffair Services, and Jambojet.
Some operators also received approval for variations to their existing licences, allowing them to introduce new aircraft types or expand routes.
For instance, AirKenya Express was approved to add a Wilson–Arusha route, while Safarilink Aviation received authorisation to operate additional regional routes.
Other aviation firms approved include European Cargo Limited, Smartwings Hungary KFT, Twinstar Aviation, Capital Connect Aviation Supplies, and Jetafric Airways.
Boost to Kenya’s aviation sector
The approvals are expected to strengthen Kenya’s aviation sector by increasing connectivity, supporting cargo operations, and expanding specialised air services such as medical evacuation and tourism flights.
Kenya continues to position itself as a key regional aviation hub in East Africa, with operators serving both domestic destinations and international routes across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
The licensing decisions form part of KCAA’s mandate to regulate air transport services while ensuring compliance with aviation safety, operational, and regulatory standards.
