Norwegian Jonny Andersen Appointed New Managing Director of Kenya Airports Authority

Norwegian Jonny Andersen has been appointed the New Managing Director of the Kenya Airports Authority effective immediately.

He joins KAA from Avinor AS, a state-owned firm that manages airports in Norway.

Making the announcement KAA New Chairperson Retired General Julius Karangi says Andersen performed the best out of the six names presented to the board by Price Water House Coopers.

“Mr Andersen has wide knowledge and experience in the aviation industry, and specifically running airport hubs across the world. He is a good fit for KAA, even as the expansion and modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other aerodromes gains steam,” said Mr Karangi.

He takes over from Lucy Mbugua who was sacked in June 2015 together with General Manager Finance John Thumbi and the acting airport Engineer Christopher Warutere over the airport bus scam.

Among the six names on the list include Joseph Kimote, James Kibati, Muriithi Ndegwa, Kirua Kipkomei and Yatich Kangugo who has been serving as the acting Managing Director of the Authority. James Kibati and Muriithi Ndegwa were among the top three contenders.

Andersen,  career aviation executive with over 21 years’ experience managing airports in Norway, Denmark and Latvia, Mr Andersen previously served as Vice President and Senior Vice President for Ground Operations at AirBaltic in Latvia.

Mr Andersen is a Fellow (FRAeS) at the Royal Aeronautical Society in the UK and an accredited instructor at the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Training and Development Institute in Switzerland. He is also a guest lecturer and conference speaker.

He takes over from Yatich Kangugo, who has been serving as the Acting Managing Director at KAA.

Subsequently, Catherine Muturi Wairi was appointed new Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director for a period of three years with immediate effect.

On his LinkedIn account, Andersen states,” I’m an expert in operational management with a demonstrable track record in driving operational reliability and regularity, managing cost and improving performance and efficiency within a price sensitive, customer focused environment. I’ve worn many hats during my career. Decision maker, change leader, project manager, teacher, negotiator, motivator, sales exec, diplomat, adviser, strategist and more.”

“No one is good at everything, and as much as I may believe that I’m in command of my core knowledge, my actual experience has taught me that my professional value boils down to the following:

First and foremost I’m an aviation multi-linguist. I speak airline, airport, civil aviation safety, cargo, aviation transport security, air law, union representative, politician, co-worker, crisis manager, journalist and difficult client.

I do execution. The only thing that really matters.

I’m the calm one.

I run towards fire.