The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has been crowned the African Cargo Airport of the Year at the prestigious STAT Times International Awards for Excellence in Air Cargo. This recognition highlights the airport’s critical role in enhancing trade and logistics across Africa.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) announced the win in a statement, celebrating it as a major achievement for the country. “Big win for Kenya! Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has been crowned African Cargo Airport of the Year at the STAT Times International Awards for Excellence in Air Cargo!” KAA remarked.
KAA further emphasized that the award recognizes JKIA’s dedication to operational excellence and continuous efforts to enhance cargo handling capabilities. The award was received by Dr. Rose Koros, General Manager at JKIA, along with Jacob Bwana, Manager, Cargo, and Debra Ondaba, Manager of Product & Brand.
According to official JKIA data, the airport handled 112,000 tonnes of cargo in the first quarter of 2024 alone. For comparison, in 2023, JKIA processed approximately 372,249 tonnes of cargo, demonstrating its status as a major cargo hub in Africa.
Cargo operations at JKIA are not only essential for trade but also play a significant role in Kenya’s economy. In 2023, cargo contributed 7% of the total revenue for Kenya Airways, amounting to Ksh12.46 billion out of the airline’s total revenue of Ksh178 billion.
JKIA consistently ranks among the busiest cargo airports in Africa, surpassing major competitors such as Cairo International Airport (Egypt) and O.R. Tambo International Airport (South Africa) in cargo volumes.
Despite leading in Africa, JKIA’s cargo volumes are still modest when compared to global leaders. In 2023, Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s busiest cargo airport, handled over 4.3 million metric tonnes of cargo, a figure far exceeding JKIA’s capacity.
This latest achievement adds to a growing list of accolades for JKIA and Kenya’s aviation sector. In October 2024, JKIA was named Africa’s Best Airport at the World Travel Awards, further cementing its reputation as a top-tier aviation hub.
At the STAT Times International Awards, JKIA triumphed over other leading cargo airports, including:
Cape Town Airport (South Africa)
Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (Morocco)
Julius Nyerere Airport (Tanzania)
Kigali Airport (Rwanda)
King Shaka Airport (South Africa)
Oliver Reginald Tambo Airport (South Africa)
Kenya’s aviation industry has been on a winning streak. Besides JKIA’s victory, Kenya Airways also won multiple awards in 2024, including:
Africa’s Leading Airline
Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class
Africa’s Leading Airline Brand
Additionally, Nairobi was recognized as Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination, while Tanzania took home the title of Africa’s Leading Destination.
JKIA’s latest award reflects its commitment to strengthening air cargo operations in Africa. With continuous investment in modern infrastructure, streamlined logistics, and advanced cargo handling facilities, JKIA is well-positioned to maintain its dominance in the continent’s cargo sector.
As Kenya’s aviation sector expands, there is potential for further growth in cargo handling capacity, regional connectivity, and global trade partnerships. This recognition solidifies JKIA’s reputation as a critical gateway for African and international trade, setting a high benchmark for other airports in the region.