The World Airport Traffic report by Airports Council International (ACI) shows that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has been ranked the second-fastest-growing cargo airport in the world.
The World Airport Traffic report, which highlights the best airport for passengers, cargo and aircraft movement shows that in a list of airports that are able to handle 250,000 metric tons of air cargo, Nairobi’s JKIA comes second after Rockford Airport in the United States.
The report which placed JKIA as the second-best expansive air cargo airport revealed that in the year 2018, JKIA handles more than 342,000 tons of air cargo, which was a 25 percent growth from what the airport had been able to handle the previous year, 2017.
According to Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), JKIA deserves the merit as the airport has recently witnessed a notable increase in air cargo to and from Asia, Europe, America, China, and Australia, which has led to its being recognized as an emerging force in the air cargo category.
“We are very happy that the face of cargo is changing for the better. These show that our efforts in improving facilities at the cargo area are finally paying off,” said KAA CEO Jonny Anderson.
“JKIA has recently been transforming its air cargo management and embracing participation both public and private sectors, enabling its improvement in global standing,” read part of KAA report.
KAA also expressed its confidence that the JKIA air cargo sector will continue growing as construction of yet another modern transit shed, Mitchell Cotts, a leading cargo and logistics company, is under construction in the airport.
“Modern transit sheds have led to the improvement and increase in annual overall cargo to 1.2 million tons. When the construction is complete, it will further boost the overall cargo by 150,000 metric tons at the airport,” said KAA.
Airports Council International showed also that among airports that lead in total cargo volumes are Hong Kong International Airport, Memphis International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Incheon International Airport, and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.