The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has unveiled plans to broaden Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's (JKIA) aviation offerings beyond commercial passenger services by establishing a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and related aviation facilities.
In a tender notice published on Tuesday, July 14, KAA invited eligible firms to submit bids for the project. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for July 21, while the tender submission deadline is July 30.
“The Kenya Airports Authority invites sealed tenders from eligible firms for the following tenders: Development of Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and Associated Aviation Facilities at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,” the notice stated.
An FBO is an airport-authorised company that provides specialised aviation services, including aircraft fuelling, parking, hangar facilities and ground support for private and general aviation operators.
At major airports, multiple private FBOs typically compete to serve corporate, private and charter aircraft, while smaller airports often have these services provided directly by the airport authority.
The proposed facility at JKIA is expected to cater to private, corporate, charter and general aviation by offering dedicated services for aircraft and passengers operating outside scheduled airline services.
The project will also involve the construction of aviation support infrastructure for aircraft handling, parking, passenger processing and other operational requirements for non-scheduled flights.
The announcement comes as JKIA continues with its three-year Ksh154.2 billion modernisation programme designed to boost the airport's capacity, efficiency and overall infrastructure.
On July 3, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confirmed that the phased upgrade programme had commenced.
Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the project entails rehabilitation of the airport's airfield, refurbishment of existing passenger terminals and construction of a new terminal capable of handling 10 million passengers annually.
The planned FBO forms part of wider efforts to position JKIA as a hub capable of accommodating both commercial airline traffic and specialised aviation operations.
Separately, KAA also invited bids for the development and management of a full-service restaurant at the concourse of Kisumu International Airport, as well as a Grab and Go outlet at Departure Gate 2.
The Kisumu projects are intended to improve passenger experience, with pre-bid meetings set for July 21 for the restaurant and July 22 for the Grab and Go facility.
