The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has approved a fresh batch of air service licenses, opening up new international and domestic routes for travelers across Kenya and the region.
In a notice dated August 7, Eldoret, among the biggest winners, was set to gain a new international connection linking the town to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia via Nairobi, boosting its global reach.
“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 read in part.
KCAA introduces new international and domestic routes for travelers
Additionally, KCAA noted that the operators will use different aircraft types stationed at key hubs, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Wilson Airport, and other regional airstrips.
The approvals were reportedly issued under Regulation 28 of the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations 2025, alongside the Civil Aviation Act No. 21 of 2013.
Despite that, not every application sailed through, since some services, including certain scheduled routes to African capitals, were declined by the authority.
The reason for the decline is that the airlines failed to meet KCAA’s selection criteria, which included home-state credentials, operational safety, and economic viability.
