JKIA crowned as Africa's leading airport at the World Travel Awards

According to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the award rubberstamps the commitment to improve passenger experience. 

"This win reflects JKIA’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service, enhancing operational efficiency, and continuously improving the passenger experience," KAA stated. 

"We’re proud of our team’s hard work and dedication that made this achievement possible, and we thank all our passengers and partners for their continued support."

JKIA edged out six other airports across the African countries, ranging from East and West Africa. These include Cape Town International Airport (South Africa), Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (Morocco) and Julius Nyerere International Airport (Tanzania).

Others include Kigali International Airport (Rwanda), King Shaka International Airport, Durban (South Africa) and O.R. Tambo International Airport (South Africa). 

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards seeks to reward across all key sectors of the travel and hospitality industry. 

The event, held at Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort in Diani Beach on Friday, October 18, saw Kenya Airways bag three awards; Africa's Leading Airline 2024, Africa's Leading Airline-Business Class 2024 and Africa's Leading Airline Brand 2024. 

Nairobi city scooped Africa's Leading Business Travel Destination 2024 while Tanzania was crowned as Africa's Leading Destination. 

The award comes amid controversy surrounding the proposal by the Kenyan government to lease JKIA to Indian Conglomerate Adani Airport Holdings for 30 years to undergo renovation. 

Through a Public-private partnership (PPP) deal, Adani will pour Ksh.238 billion to upgrade the airport by building a new passenger terminal, refurbishing the existing terminals, constructing a second runway and enhancing cargo handling facilities among other changes. 

The opaque nature of the details surrounding the Adani-JKIA takeover has, however, caused the public to oppose the agreement, with various court cases filed seeking to prevent the deal. 

While defending the deal, the government has assured Kenyans that the Adani proposal is still under review and no signed deal is in place. 

"For the avoidance of doubt, all terms and conditions of the proposed arrangement are subject to negotiations in accordance with the provisions of the PPP Act and no terms have been agreed upon as yet," Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi said last month.