Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the busiest in East Africa, has been named Africa’s Leading Airport at the prestigious 2024 World Travel Awards.
This recognition reflects the airport’s dedication to improving passenger experience and operational excellence.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) proudly announced the achievement, noting that it underscores their commitment to delivering exceptional service.
“This win reflects JKIA’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service, enhancing operational efficiency, and continuously improving the passenger experience,” KAA stated.
The authority also credited their hardworking team for the success and expressed gratitude to passengers and partners for their ongoing support.
JKIA outshined six other major airports across the continent, including Cape Town International Airport in South Africa, Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco, and Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania.
The competition also included Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and South Africa’s King Shaka International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport.
The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, celebrate excellence across all sectors of the travel and hospitality industry.
The 2024 awards ceremony, held at the Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort in Diani Beach on October 18, also saw Kenya Airways secure several top honours, including Africa’s Leading Airline and Leading Airline-Business Class.
Nairobi was named Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination, while Tanzania took the title of Africa’s Leading Destination.
Amid this celebration, controversy surrounds the proposed plan to lease JKIA to Indian conglomerate Adani Airport Holdings.
The 30-year public-private partnership (PPP) aims to inject Ksh238 billion to upgrade the airport, including constructing a new passenger terminal, refurbishing existing facilities, and adding a second runway.
Controversial Adani deal
However, the lack of transparency in the deal has sparked public opposition, leading to multiple court cases seeking to block the agreement.
The Kenyan government has reassured the public that no final agreement has been reached.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized that all terms of the proposed deal remain under negotiation, by the Public-Private Partnership Act, and that nothing has been signed yet.
As JKIA celebrates its recent triumph, the future of the airport remains under scrutiny, with Kenyans closely watching the outcome of the Adani deal.
