Ruth Haines
Nairobi Airport, also known as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, is the largest airport in Kenya, located about 15km from Nairobi city centre. The airport was opened in 1958 and has since become a major transfer hub in Africa, serving over 50 destinations worldwide. However, reviews of the airport have been mixed, with some passengers complaining about issues such as unfriendly staff, long queues, and a lack of clear information and amenities. Despite this, the airport remains an important gateway to Kenya and a hub for international travel in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi Airport, Nairobi Wilson Airport |
| Airport Code | NBO |
| Location | 15 km from Nairobi City Centre |
| Year of Opening | 1958 |
| Runway Length | 4km |
| Services | Car hire, duty-free shopping, 24-hour security, WiFi, hotel |
| Airlines | Kenya Airways, RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Tanzania, India Air, Fly Emirates, British Air, South African Airways |
| Star Rating | 3-Star |
| Customer Reviews | Poor staff service, theft, long queues, confusing, messy, poor WiFi, expensive, basic facilities, poor inflight information |
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What You'll Learn
History and design
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, also known as Nairobi Airport, is the largest airport in Kenya for both international and domestic flights. It is located about 15 kilometres from Nairobi's city centre. The airport was opened in 1958 and its runway is almost 4 kilometres long, the longest in Kenya.
The airport's history dates back to 1953 when plans for its construction were drawn up. Construction began in January 1954, and by mid-1957, the opening date was brought forward to March 1958. The construction was not without challenges, and many civil engineering problems had to be overcome. Unfortunately, the working conditions were poor, with labourers being overworked to the point of exhaustion and even death.
The airport's design was influenced by Kloten, Zurich, particularly in the arrangement of the building, allowing arriving passengers to see through the entire structure with minimal signage. The Nairobi Airport, then known as Embakasi Airport, was praised for its lightness and spaciousness, as well as its first-class fittings and colour schemes.
Over the years, the airport has undergone modifications, but it still faces challenges. In 2013, a fire caused significant damage, and in 2020, a Skytrax review noted issues with comfort, airport facilities, traffic congestion, and limited public transportation options. Despite these concerns, Nairobi Airport remains a major hub for flights to and from Kenya, serving over 50 destinations worldwide.
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Customer service
Nairobi Airport, also known as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, is the largest airport in Kenya, located about 15 kilometres from Nairobi city centre. It is the main airport in Kenya, serving over 50 worldwide destinations.
On the other hand, positive reviews of the airport commend the staff for their assistance. One passenger noted that the staff helped them with their boarding pass issue, although another passenger with a similar issue reported that the staff were unhelpful.
The airport has been described as confusing and disorganised, with passengers reporting long queues and a lack of monitoring by staff. The transit security check queue has been reported to take at least an hour, even for business class travellers. The airport's layout has been described as confusing, with passengers getting lost and struggling to find their way.
The airport has also faced criticism for a lack of updates on the inflight information boards and announcements that are difficult to understand due to the local accent. The WiFi was also reported as not working, adding to the challenges faced by travellers.
Overall, while there have been some positive reports of helpful staff, the majority of reviews highlight significant issues with customer service at Nairobi Airport, including reports of unfriendly staff, long delays, and a lack of clear information and direction. These issues have contributed to a negative travel experience for many passengers.
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Facilities and amenities
Nairobi Airport, also known as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, is the largest airport in Kenya. It is located about 15 kilometres from Nairobi's city centre. The airport first opened in 1958 and has since undergone modifications to its terminals.
Nairobi Airport is a 3-star airport for facilities, comfort, and cleanliness. The airport offers duty-free shopping, car hire, and 24-hour security. However, some passengers have reported issues with the airport's facilities, including limited dining and shopping options, a lack of good rest areas, and weak Wi-Fi connectivity. The airport has also been criticised for its chaotic organisation, with reports of unmonitored queues, overwhelmed security staff, and confusing procedures, particularly during transit.
The airport serves over 50 destinations worldwide, including India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It has a runway length of almost 4 kilometres, the longest in Kenya.
In terms of transportation to and from the airport, passengers can utilise the new 2022 expressway, which provides a direct connection to the city without turns or traffic congestion. Additionally, city Bus Route Number 34 serves the airport, and as of 2020, a rail link to central Nairobi is also operational.
Nairobi Airport has faced challenges, including a major fire in 2013 that caused significant damage and temporarily suspended operations. The airport has also been a target of criticism for its baggage handling, with reports of lock tampering and item theft.
Despite these issues, Nairobi Airport remains a significant hub for Africa and the main gateway to Kenya, accommodating passengers from all over the world.
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Transport links
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is the major airport in Nairobi and Kenya, handling most inbound and outbound flights. It is located about 15 km from the city centre. The airport was opened in 1958 and has a runway length of almost 4 km, the longest in Kenya.
The main entrance to the airport is on Airport South Road, which can be accessed from the A109 highway (Mombasa Road). The new 2022 expressway connects travellers to the airport with no turns or traffic from the city. Passengers can also take the city bus route number 34 to get to and from the airport. In addition, a rail link to central Nairobi has been in operation since December 2020.
Wilson Airport is a smaller second airport in Nairobi, serving mostly light aircraft and small airlines. It is one of three airports in the city, along with Eastleigh and JKIA. Wilson Airport is located closer to the city centre than JKIA. It offers domestic flights within Kenya to destinations such as Kisumu, Mombasa, and Malindi.
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Baggage handling
Given these issues, it is recommended that passengers double-lock their bags with as many locks as possible, or only bring hand luggage. Some travellers suggest that leaving luggage with a safari operator or at a hotel is safer than using the airport's baggage storage facilities.
Nairobi Airport does offer luggage storage and locker facilities, which are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These facilities are located in the domestic departure area (T1D), although it has been noted that this area may be closing soon. The airport also offers a luggage wrapping service for KSH 1000 (US$10) per piece.
For passengers with priority boarding, there have been reports that the designated queues at Nairobi Airport are not monitored, leading to chaos and delays. This issue has been raised by multiple travellers, who have expressed disappointment and frustration with the airport's handling of priority boarding.
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Frequently asked questions
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) has been described as having unfriendly and rude staff who are close-minded and inattentive to passengers' queries. The airport has also been criticised for its lack of good rest areas, limited shopping and dining options, and basic facilities. However, it does offer services such as car hire and duty-free shopping.
Nairobi Airport is located about 15 kilometres from the city centre. Passengers can access the airport via the new 2022 expressway, which provides a direct connection without turns or traffic. Additionally, city Bus Route Number 34 and a rail link to central Nairobi are available for transportation to and from the airport.
Nairobi Airport, opened in 1958, is the largest and busiest airport in Kenya. Its construction involved forced labour, with labourers worked to the point of exhaustion and suicide. The airport has experienced safety concerns, including a fire in 2013 that caused significant damage and a history of theft and baggage tampering by staff.
