Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) emerged second in the ‘Fastest Growing Airports in handling cargo.
The Airport Council International (ACI) World Air Traffic Report indicates JKIA (Handling over 250,000 metric tons of air cargo)’ category as it handled over 342,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2018 indicating a 25% increase from 2017.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) credits the growth to increase in cargo traffic to and from Europe, Asia, America, China, and Australia.
“This award validates our ongoing efforts in improving facilities at the JKIA Cargo area.” KAA MD, Jonny Andersen noted. “This is an exciting time for Kenya, the face of cargo is changing, and we are positioning JKIA as the premier cargo distribution center for online commerce companies in the region,” he added.
In the last few years, JKIA has seen the entry of several modern transit sheds, increasing it’s annual overall cargo to 1.2million tons. Michaell Cotts, a leading cargo and logistics company, is currently constructing its new shed at JKIA, once complete, the new development is expected to inject an additional annual capacity of 150,000 metric tons at the airport. Astral Aviation, a cargo airline operating from JKIA has in the last year acquired three Boeing 747-400 cargo aircraft to boost its freight capacity and expand its network.
In 2017, Kenya Airways has opened its Cargo Express Centre for premium cargo at the JKIA aimed at improving its cargo revenue as part of the turnaround strategy, Operation Pride while catering for premium cargo clients needing express services.
This is a one-stop-shop for airlines and freight forwarders to enhance efficiency in e-commerce logistics, electronic customers’ clearance and cargo handling services, mail handling and airport ground handling service.
The top five airports in terms of total cargo volumes are Hong Kong International Airport, Memphis International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Incheon International Airport, and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport respectively
