KAA moves to review 1996 airport concession fees at JKIA and four other airports

Get breaking business news on WhatsApp

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has started a review of the fees it charges businesses operating at five of its airports, saying the rates have not been updated since 1996.

In a public notice signed by its managing director, the authority invites businesses and the public to comment on a proposed review of the Concession Order schedule and cargo rates at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson Airport, Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kisumu International Airport and Eldoret International Airport.

“The existing Concession Order dates back to 1996. The proposed review seeks to align fees with prevailing market value and offset rising airport operational costs, maintenance costs and infrastructural development requirements,” the notice says.

The authority, which now trades as Kenya Airports Authority PLC, says it is running the exercise under “the principles of public participation, transparency and accountability under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010”.

Airlines, ground handlers, cargo firms, ground transport operators, hotels and restaurants, financial institutions, concessionaires and government agencies are among those invited to take part.

What businesses pay now

Concession fees are charged on top of rent and other KAA charges. Under the Kenya Airports Authority Concession Order, which came into force on July 1, 1996, most are set as a share of a firm’s gross annual turnover, with a guaranteed minimum.

• Ground handling: 7% to 12% of turnover for firms handling both cargo and passengers, and 7% to 10% for cargo-only handlers, each with a minimum of KSh1 million a year.
• Duty-free shops: 10% of turnover, with a minimum of US$200 per square metre.
• Inflight catering: 3% to 10%.
• Aircraft technical services and ground facilitation: 8%, with minimums of KSh250,000 and KSh600,000.
• Courier, clearing and forwarding, tours and travel desks, hotel booking booths: 6%, with a minimum of KSh150,000.
• Taxi counters, business centres and left luggage: 6%, with a minimum of KSh100,000.
• Cargo consolidation: 6%, with a minimum of KSh250,000.
• Car rentals: 6%, with no minimum.
• Advertising: 50% of turnover for billboards and hoardings, and 25% for other formats.

Some fees are flat. Aviation fuel sales attract KSh350 per cubic metre uplifted, cargo handled at Wilson Airport is charged KSh6 per kilogramme, and airlines that handle their own aircraft pay US$2,500 per flight. Banks pay a minimum of KSh250,000 per unit, forex bureaus KSh125,000, airline lounges KSh150,000, bars and restaurants KSh100,000 and air charter brokers KSh250,000.

No new rates published yet

The notice does not set out the proposed new fees. It says the review documents can be found on the KAA website.

Because many of the charges are a percentage of turnover, they already rise as sales grow. The fixed minimums and flat per-unit fees, however, are still set at their 1996 levels in the gazetted order.

Forum dates and deadline

KAA will hold public forums on Tuesday, November 24, 2026:

• Nairobi (JKIA cargo, Wilson and JKIA): Panari Hotel, 9am to noon.
• Mombasa (Moi International Airport): PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort and Spa, 8am to noon.
• Kisumu: Acacia Premier Hotel, 8am to noon.
• Eldoret: Boma Inn Hotel, 8am to noon.

Written comments should be sent to marketing.publicparticipation@kaa.go.ke by December 1, 2026. “All submissions received within the stipulated period will be considered in the review process,” the authority says.

The review comes as JKIA faces other changes. A court recently allowed the KSh154bn JKIA upgrade to proceed but ordered the contract to be disclosed.