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EXPLAINER: Details of different terminals of JKIA

Terminal 2 became talk of town following its closure to facilitate Jill Biden's movement

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by MAUREEN KINYANJUI

News26 February 2023 - 03:30
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In Summary


  • •Current lounges at Terminal 2 include the Mara Lounge and Mount Kenya Lounge - both at the airside, Level 1 and open 24 hours.
  • •In January 2021, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) began renovating JKIA terminals 1B and C to the new-look state of the art .
Terminal 2 at JKIA.

Following the arrival of US First Lady Jill Biden, airport authorities announced the closure of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's Terminal 2 to facilitate her movement.

The terminal became the talk of the town as many debated the decision. But even with this, the other terminals will remain operational during Biden's maiden visit.

JKIA is Kenya’s main airport and one of the busiest airports in Africa.

It is also home to national flag carrier Kenya Airways and others including Jambojet, as well as Fly540 and African Express Airways

Construction of the terminal building at JKIA started on March 14, 1978, and was completed on the other side of the airport's single runway and opened by the founding father of the nation, the late  President Mzee Jomo  Kenyatta.

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Following his death on August 22, 1978, the airport, formerly known as Nairobi International Airport, was renamed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

There are two main terminals at JKIA; Terminals One and Two.

Terminal 1 is arranged in a semi-circular orientation and is divided into four parts: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E

Terminal 1A is used for International arrivals and Departures by Kenya Airways and Sky Partners

Terminals 1B and 1C are also used for international departures.

Terminal 1D is used for Domestic arrivals and departures while 1E is for  International Arrivals.

Terminal 2  is used by low-cost carriers.

The original terminal, located on the north side of the runway, is used by the Kenya Air Force and is sometimes referred to as Old Embakasi Airport.

In January 2021, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) began renovating JKIA terminals 1B and C to the new-look state of the art.

China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation (CJIC), undertook the works at a cost of Sh963 million.

The JKIA upgrade project involved the refurbishment of the airport’s departure halls to improve check-in, screening procedures, retail operations, and traveller lounge experience.

Terminal 1B and IC's renovation aimed to enhance the traveller experience in the two terminals to match what is offered at Terminal 1A.

Further, the renovations were also meant to improve customer experience and position the airport as the preferred aviation hub in East Africa. 

At the cost of Sh1.7 billion Terminal 2 at the JKIA was opened in April 2015 by Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The state-of-the-art prefabricated terminal’s additional capacity brings JKIA’s capacity to 7.5 million passengers annually, compared to the estimated 6.5 million passengers who go through the airport. 

It was initially intended to relieve overcrowding.

The terminal houses international & domestic check-in desks and boarding gates.

Also unveiled was the new security screening yard at the entrance of JKIA, a state-of-the-art facility fitted with modern security equipment that is one of its kind in Africa.

Current lounges at Terminal 2 include the Mara Lounge and Mount Kenya Lounge - both at the airside, Level 1 and open 24 hours.

Terminal 2 sits on 10,000 square meters. Fly 540, Sax, Jubba and African Air Express are some of the airlines that have already been operating from the new station.

JKIA also has five cargo facilities with a capacity to handle 200,000 tonnes of cargo annually, and an animal holding facility which occupies 4,318.95ft.

The cargo facilities are Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited (KAHL), Transglobal Cargo Centre, Nairobi Cargo Centre, and Cargo Service Centre.

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