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Liz Jackson: JKIA modernisation is not enough
14th August, 2026 10:27 AM
Liz Jackson has sparked fresh debate over the future of Kenya’s aviation infrastructure, arguing that modernising Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) may not be enough if the country wants to compete with leading airports across Africa and beyond.
In her remarks, Jackson acknowledged that JKIA needs modernisation but argued that Kenya should go further by developing an entirely new airport from scratch.
Kenya needs a new airport
“JKIA needs to be modernized but for us to achieve a highly competitive and modern airport, we need one built from scratch,” she stated.
Jackson also expressed concern about Kenya’s position within the region, saying the country has fallen behind other African nations in developing modern airport infrastructure.
“In the region, we are doing fairly badly when it comes to airports. All African countries I’ve been to have modern airports. We have failed,” she said.
Her comments have reignited conversations about whether continued upgrades at JKIA can adequately address Kenya’s long-term aviation needs. JKIA is the country’s main international gateway and plays a major role in tourism, trade, cargo transportation and regional connectivity.
The debate comes as African countries continue investing in modern aviation infrastructure designed to accommodate growing passenger numbers, improve efficiency and provide more competitive travel experiences.
Has Kenya fallen behind?
For Kenya, the question is therefore becoming bigger than simply renovating existing facilities. A new airport could potentially allow planners to design infrastructure around modern passenger needs from the beginning, including larger terminals, improved passenger processing systems, expanded cargo facilities, better road connectivity and room for future expansion.
However, building a completely new international airport would require significant investment, careful planning and consideration of the economic and logistical challenges involved.
Jackson’s remarks have consequently added another voice to the discussion about what Kenya’s next major aviation investment should look like: continued modernisation of JKIA, or a new airport designed to serve the country for decades to come.
As competition between African aviation hubs grows, the conversation is increasingly centred on whether Kenya can afford to keep upgrading existing infrastructure while neighbouring and other African countries build newer facilities.
