The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has approved a new batch of air service licenses, paving the way for additional international and domestic routes connecting Kenyan destinations with cities across the region and beyond.
The approvals were confirmed in a gazette notice dated August 7, with Eldoret emerging as one of the major beneficiaries. The town is set to gain a new international link to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Nairobi, potentially strengthening its access to international markets and travelers.
"PURSUANT to the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act No. 21 of 2013 and the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2025 (Regulation 28) notice is given that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has made decisions on applications for air service licenses whose particulars were previously published in the Kenya Gazette Notice No. 4166 of 19th March, 2026," the notice stated in part.
The approved licenses cover passenger, cargo and mail services across a range of routes linking Kenyan cities with destinations in the Middle East, East Africa and other international markets.
Several operators were granted international non-scheduled licenses to transport passengers, cargo and mail between Kenya, Tanzania and Saudi Arabia. The licenses are valid for periods ranging from one to three years.
The authority also approved a number of aerial work operations, covering activities such as crop spraying, wildlife surveys, aerial photography, firefighting assistance and game counting in Kenya and other parts of East Africa.
On the domestic front, KCAA approved several scheduled routes connecting Nairobi with destinations including Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Lodwar, Malindi, Lamu and Garissa.
Flying training operations within Kenya also received approval, potentially expanding opportunities for aspiring pilots to train locally using aircraft based at airports such as Wilson and Malindi.
According to KCAA, the licensed operators will deploy various aircraft types from key aviation hubs, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson Airport and other regional airstrips.
The decisions were made pursuant to Regulation 28 of the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2025, and the Civil Aviation Act No. 21 of 2013.
However, some applications were rejected, including proposals involving scheduled services to certain African capitals.
KCAA said the unsuccessful applicants did not satisfy its selection requirements, which took into account factors such as home-state credentials, operational safety and economic viability.
Foreign airlines seeking to operate international services into Kenya are required to obtain an Air Service License (ASL) and a Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) from KCAA, which serve as the mandatory regulatory requirements for such operations.
