omo Kenyatta Airport Hits Record Passenger Traffic, as Kenya Joins South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda And More In Africa As Major Aviation Hub

Kenya is increasingly being seen as one of Africa’s main aviation hubs as new data shows passenger traffic rising and airlines expanding codeshare ties with regional partners like Uganda, Egypt and South Africa.

Kenya’s aviation sector has recorded strong growth in recent years, with Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi among the continent’s busiest. In 2024 and into 2025, international origin-destination departures and regional flights continued to rise, highlighting Nairobi’s role as a central connection point for air travel across Africa.

Airlines and governments are boosting cooperation. Kenya Airways, the country’s largest carrier, has expanded partnerships, including codeshare agreements that link Kenya with more destinations through partner networks. One partnership with Qatar Airways now offers shared flights on routes connecting Africa to the Middle East, Asia and beyond, making it easier for passengers to travel between Nairobi and cities like Doha and Tokyo.

Regional agreements are also growing. Flights between Nairobi and capitals such as Kampala in Uganda continue to see strong demand, while connections with Cairo and Johannesburg deepen ties with North and Southern Africa. Domestic and local carriers like Safarilink are expanding their networks as well, opening new regional links that feed into Kenya’s broader international hub role.

The wide range of codeshare arrangements is part of a broader shift in African aviation. Carriers are working together to offer passengers single-ticket travel across networks that cover multiple countries, reducing barriers to travel and supporting tourism and trade.

Kenya’s strategic location at the crossroads of East Africa, and its growing flight network, have helped position the country as a gateway for air travel between Africa and other continents. Airports in Nairobi and other cities are investing in infrastructure to handle the growing traffic and improve service quality.

As passenger numbers grow and partnerships expand, Kenya’s role in African aviation continues to strengthen, supporting greater mobility for business, tourism and regional integration.