AeroTrail

Introduction.

An International Air Transport Association (IATA) audit, conducted with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and Kenya Airports Authority, has flagged serious safety deficiencies at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)—warning that these issues could prompt a safety downgrade that might ban large aircraft from operating there. The report highlights a degrading runway, rubber deposits reducing friction, and a shortage of firefighting personnel (operating at nearly half strength), which could lead to JKIA’s rescue/firefighting category being reduced from 9 to 7—a downgrade that would disqualify it from handling long-haul jets like the Boeing 777, 787, and Airbus A350. The audit also criticizes weak coordination among safety and air traffic control units, insufficient wildlife hazard management, and inadequate staff training. Authorities have responded by stating some corrective measures are underway, but aviation stakeholders warn that delay or inadequate action risks isolating Nairobi and undermining Kenya’s position as a regional aviation hub.

Conferences & Events.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in collaboration with the EU-CORSIA Africa and Caribbean Project, launched a three-day national workshop on October 6, 2025, at Speke Resort & Conference Centre Munyonyo, focusing on the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), and CORSIA Eligible Fuels (CEF). The workshop brings together government, airlines, academia, and industry stakeholders to enhance Uganda’s capacity to reduce aviation carbon emissions and explore sustainable fuel opportunities. Over the three days, participants covered SAF fundamentals, feedstocks, global supply trends, CORSIA monitoring and reporting, and policy frameworks for SAF integration into Uganda’s aviation strategy.