IATA Highlights the Vital Economic Role of Aviation in Kenya, Supporting Billions in GDP and Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs

(IN SHORT) IATA’s “Value of Air Transport” study for Kenya reveals that the aviation sector contributes USD 3.3 billion to the national GDP and supports 460,000 jobs. The study highlights Kenya’s potential for growth in air transport, emphasizing infrastructure development, digitalization, and workforce training as key priorities for sustaining future success. IATA projects a 3.7% annual growth for Africa’s aviation market over the next 20 years, underscoring the importance of strategic investments in the sector.

(PRESS RELEASE) NAIROBI, Kenya, 2025-May-13 — /Travel PR News/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its “Value of Air Transport” study for Kenya, providing a detailed analysis of the significant economic and employment contributions of the aviation sector, including aviation-related tourism. The findings reveal that aviation plays a vital role in driving Kenya’s economy, generating substantial economic activity and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.

According to the 2023 data, aviation directly and indirectly supports:

• USD 3.3 billion in economic activity, which represents 3.1% of Kenya’s GDP. This includes the total impact of the aviation sector, supply chain activities, employee spending, and tourism.
• 460,000 jobs, with 5,700 of these positions directly tied to airlines.
• 380,000 tonnes of air cargo, making Kenya the 35th largest air cargo market in the world.

“These impressive figures highlight the undeniable importance of aviation to Kenya’s economy. Not only does the sector contribute significantly to GDP, but it also creates jobs and fosters tourism, all of which are key elements in Kenya’s economic development,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “With Africa’s aviation market projected to grow by 3.7% annually over the next two decades, the potential for further growth in Kenya is immense. However, achieving this potential will require infrastructure improvements, skilled workforce development, and a strong commitment to sustainability, including achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Key Priorities for Kenya’s Aviation Sector

IATA also outlined three critical priorities to ensure continued growth and development for Kenya’s aviation sector:

• Infrastructure Development: As Kenya continues to expand and modernize its airport infrastructure, IATA stresses the importance of aligning these developments with global standards. A focus on cost-effective and efficient infrastructure is essential for enhancing Kenya’s position as a leading hub for trade and tourism in East Africa.
• Passenger and Cargo Facilitation: Kenya’s implementation of the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system has the potential to significantly boost both leisure and business tourism. IATA recommends a comprehensive strategy for digitalizing facilitation processes to further strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness as a major passenger and cargo hub.
• Training and Workforce Development: A skilled workforce is crucial for Kenya to maximize the benefits of its growing aviation sector. IATA identifies key areas for capacity-building, including technical operations, ground operations, maintenance, digital transformation, and sustainability. To support this, IATA’s regional training centre, in partnership with Kenya Airways, will play a key role in shaping Kenya’s aviation workforce for the future.

 Access the full study (pdf)

For more information, please contact:

Corporate Communications

Tel: +41 22 770 2967

Email: corpcomms@iata.org