NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has approved a fresh batch of air service licences, paving the way for new passenger, cargo and mail routes connecting Kenyan destinations to cities in the Middle East, East Africa and other international markets.
The approvals, contained in a Kenya Gazette Notice dated August 7, include a new international connection linking Eldoret to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia via Nairobi, potentially expanding the North Rift town’s access to the Middle Eastern market.
“PURSUANT to the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act No. 21 of 2013 and the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2025 (Regulation 28) notice is given that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has made decisions on applications for air service licenses whose particulars were previously published in the Kenya Gazette Notice No. 4166 of 19th March, 2026,” the authority said.
The latest approvals cover a range of aviation services, including scheduled and non-scheduled passenger operations, cargo and mail transportation, aerial work and flight training.
Several operators were granted international non-scheduled air service licences allowing them to transport passengers, cargo and mail between Kenya, Tanzania and Saudi Arabia. The licences will remain valid for periods ranging from one to three years, depending on the approved operations.
The new approvals are expected to expand connectivity for travellers and businesses while creating additional opportunities for the movement of goods and passengers within the region.
Domestic routes expanded
KCAA also approved several domestic scheduled services connecting Nairobi with Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Lodwar, Malindi, Lamu and Garissa, among other destinations.
The expanded network could improve connectivity between Nairobi and regional towns while providing travellers with additional options for domestic air transport.
The authority also approved flying instruction services within Kenya, allowing aviation training operators to conduct pilot instruction using aircraft based at various airports, including Wilson and Malindi.
The development is expected to support the growth of Kenya’s aviation workforce by providing additional opportunities for aspiring pilots to undertake training locally.
Aerial services
Beyond passenger and cargo operations, KCAA approved several licences for aerial work.
The services include crop spraying, wildlife surveys, aerial photography, firefighting support and game counting, with operations authorised across Kenya and other parts of East Africa and beyond.
Operators will deploy different aircraft types from key aviation hubs, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson Airport and other regional airstrips.
KCAA said the approvals were made under Regulation 28 of the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2025, pursuant to the Civil Aviation Act No. 21 of 2013.
Some applications rejected
Not all applications received approval, with KCAA declining some proposed services, including certain scheduled routes to African capitals.
The authority said applications are assessed against established criteria, including the applicant’s home-state credentials, operational safety requirements and economic viability.
The selection process is intended to ensure that operators entering the Kenyan market meet regulatory and safety standards while providing commercially viable services.
Foreign airlines seeking to operate international services into Kenya must first obtain an Air Service Licence (ASL) and a Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) from KCAA.
The new routes and services are expected to give travellers more connectivity options while broadening the range of aviation services available in Kenya.
