Govt deploys Automatic Terminal Information Service at JKIA to improve management of arriving, departing flights

Nairobi, Kenya - The government is strengthening operational and security controls at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by introducing new flight-information systems and passenger-data technologies. These measures aim to improve processing, bolster oversight, and prevent irregular baggage handling. The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) will streamline the identification and management of arriving and departing flights, while the Advanced Passenger Registration (APR) system will undergo implementation, with associated data-control facilities expected to become operational within a month.

These initiatives form part of a wider airport modernization program, valued at 154.2 billion, which targets increasing passenger capacity and enhancing the airport's role as a regional aviation hub. Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Raymond Omollo, emphasized the importance of translating agreed-upon decisions into tangible action.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is concurrently constructing a new terminal, with an estimated completion time of 54 months, which will expand the airport's capacity to handle around 10 million passengers annually. Overall, the government anticipates the optimisation programme to boost JKIA's passenger-handling capacity from approximately 8 million to 12 million passengers annually.

The enhanced controls also encompass baggage and cargo management. KAA has initiated procedures requiring airlines to ensure proper identification and processing of baggage as either passenger luggage or cargo. Passengers are cautioned against attaching luggage to that of other passengers, as such misuse may result in the return of their baggage at their own expense.

Cargo must traverse designated terminals and adhere to authorized procedures. Airlines engaging in the unauthorized movement of cargo, beyond approved channels, may face regulatory actions, including suspension. The BCOCC outlined these measures as a response to curb irregular baggage practices, including exceeding permissible passenger-baggage limits and infractions of aviation safety and baggage-size requirements promulgated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and carrier-specific guidelines issued by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

According to the BCOCC, successful implementation of these measures necessitates heightened collaboration among agencies responsible for border control and airport operations. BCOCC Chair, Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, stressed the need for a coordinated, intelligence-led approach, emphasizing the importance of unity and shared focus in safeguarding the country while preserving travel and trade.

JKIA processes approximately 8.8 million passengers and over 358 kilotonnes of cargo annually, underscoring its critical significance as a transit hub for Kenya and the broader region. About 60 percent of JKIA's processed passengers are transiting through the airport, highlighting the significance of faster processing and coordinated border controls to sustain JKIA's position as a regional transit hub.