FBOs at Jomo Kenyatta International HKJK NBO

Airport security

Nairobi carries an active and multifaceted security risk profile.

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution advisory for Kenya, citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping, while the UK FCDO issues targeted warnings for Nairobi reflecting elevated street crime including armed robbery, mugging, and carjacking, with incidents occurring at any hour.

Terrorism risk is substantiated, with evidence of growing support for extremist networks and a history of attacks against hotels and commercial complexes in Nairobi; civil unrest is also an active concern, with the FCDO specifically flagging heightened protest activity around late June and early July due to the anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill demonstrations.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is Kenya's principal international aviation hub and operates under the oversight of the Kenya Airports Authority, which documents universal passenger and baggage screening as standard practice across its facilities.

No formal published access-control classification tier from ICAO, TSA, or an equivalent authority was identified for this airport; as Kenya's primary international gateway handling intercontinental traffic, the facility is expected to maintain baseline international civil aviation security standards consistent with ICAO Annex 17 obligations, with a government-contracted modernization program currently underway that includes enhancements to security and customs processes.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

• Hours: H24 (port of entry
• customs and immigration available around the clock in line with H24 operations) JKIA is a designated Kenyan port of entry for both passenger and cargo operations. Kenya eTA mandatory for most nationalities prior to arrival
• visa on arrival available for eligible nationalities. Crew listed on GENDEC do not require a visa. Baggage clearance through green/red channel system
• plastic bags strictly prohibited and actively enforced at customs. Confirm current CIQ availability windows via KCAA AIP/eAIP and handler prior to operation.

Ground corridor

Ground transport risk in Nairobi is primarily characterised by opportunistic street crime — including vehicle smash-and-grab, phone snatching, and carjacking — concentrated in specific urban corridors and during hours of darkness; traffic safety is an independently serious hazard given poor road conditions, unpredictable driver behaviour, and dense congestion on the Mombasa Road airport corridor.

The Mombasa Road and Nairobi Expressway connecting the airport to the city centre are subject to periodic road works, diversions, and significant traffic delays, requiring additional journey time buffers.

Pre-arranged vehicles with vetted professional drivers are strongly advised for all airport transfers; unsolicited transport offers at the terminal should be declined, and unvetted public minibus services are assessed as unsafe by multiple allied government advisories.

No movement restrictions apply to Nairobi itself, however civil unrest and protest activity in the city have been flagged by multiple advisories through mid-2026 and should be monitored by the ground support team prior to any road movement.

City threat summary

Nairobi carries an active and multifaceted security risk profile.

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution advisory for Kenya, citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping, while the UK FCDO issues targeted warnings for Nairobi reflecting elevated street crime including armed robbery, mugging, and carjacking, with incidents occurring at any hour.

Terrorism risk is substantiated, with evidence of growing support for extremist networks and a history of attacks against hotels and commercial complexes in Nairobi; civil unrest is also an active concern, with the FCDO specifically flagging heightened protest activity around late June and early July due to the anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill demonstrations.

Country overview

Kenya maintains a MODERATE threat environment shaped by persistent terrorism risk from Al-Shabaab, widespread violent c…

Higher-risk locations nearby

• Nairobi HKJK ELEVATED