Passengers travelling through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) are facing tighter baggage controls as the government introduces new operational measures aimed at improving efficiency, passenger processing and compliance at Kenya’s main international airport.
The new measures announced by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration on September 9 include stricter baggage-handling requirements, the deployment of the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) and progress on the Advanced Passenger Registration (APR) system.
The changes affect both passengers and airlines, with operators facing tougher enforcement over how passenger luggage and cargo are handled at JKIA.
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has begun strict enforcement of baggage-handling procedures, requiring airlines to ensure baggage is properly identified and processed either as passenger luggage or cargo, as applicable.
Passengers travelling to Nairobi have also been warned against attaching their luggage to that of other passengers.
“Any such baggage found at the airport will be returned at the passenger’s own cost,” the government said.
The directive is part of efforts to curb what authorities described as irregular baggage-handling practices involving certain operators.
According to the Border Control and Operations Coordination Committee (BCOCC), some of the practices involve transporting luggage beyond permissible passenger baggage limits and violating established aviation safety and baggage-sizing guidelines.
The government cited guidelines issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as well as carrier-specific carry-on requirements contained in a Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Advisory Circular.
Airlines face action over cargo
The new controls also target the movement of cargo through JKIA.
Cargo must be processed through designated terminals and handled in accordance with established procedures.
Airlines found facilitating the movement of cargo outside authorised channels will face regulatory action, including suspension where applicable.
According to the government, the measures are intended to ensure operators comply with established procedures and prevent passenger baggage and cargo from being moved through unauthorised channels.
The tighter enforcement gives airlines greater responsibility for ensuring baggage is correctly classified, processed and handled in accordance with aviation requirements.
JKIA introduces new operational systems
While authorities are tightening enforcement, they are also introducing new systems designed to improve the airport’s overall operations.
The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is being deployed to streamline airport operations through enhanced identification and management of departing and arriving flights.
The system will cover both domestic and international flights.
Under the optimisation plan, terminals will accommodate a centralised system for airline check-in and passenger screening, alongside clearer designations primarily for arrivals and departures.
The government said the changes are part of efforts to improve passenger processing and strengthen coordination across airport operations.
Advanced Passenger Registration system
The government is also advancing implementation of the Advanced Passenger Registration (APR) system to improve information sharing and operational situational awareness.
The associated data-control facilities are expected to be operational within the next month.
The update was provided by the BCOCC during its 69th meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo.
Omollo emphasised that government agencies must ensure decisions made by the committee are implemented.
“Resolutions reached by the Committee must translate into action,” Omollo said.
He further stressed the need for agencies to fully implement resolutions reached by the BCOCC as authorities seek to improve coordination and operational efficiency at JKIA.
New JKIA terminal to add 10 million passengers
The tighter airport controls come as Kenya implements its wider Ksh 154.2 billion JKIA modernisation programme.
According to KAA, construction of a new terminal is already underway, with the contractor on site.
The project is expected to take 54 months to complete and will provide additional capacity for approximately 10 million passengers annually.
The government says the broader modernisation programme will expand JKIA’s capacity, improve operational efficiency and strengthen Kenya’s position as a leading aviation hub in the region.
For passengers, the immediate priority will be complying with the new baggage requirements, particularly the directive against attaching luggage to another passenger’s baggage.
For airlines and cargo operators, the government’s message is equally clear: baggage must be correctly classified and processed through authorised channels.
The combination of stricter enforcement, new passenger-processing systems and major infrastructure investment signals a broader government effort to make JKIA more efficient while tightening oversight of passengers, baggage and cargo.
