90 Grounded Aircraft Cause Congestion at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport
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A report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu reveals that planes owned by private aviation firms, flying schools and individuals are occupying apron space intended for operational aircraft at Wilson Airport.
At least 90 grounded aircraft are occupying the parking bays at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, adding to congestion at the airport alongside other diversions that have already been made.
While some of the aircraft are not expected to return to service soon, others have started accruing parking fees.
“The parking garage for aircraft was congested as a result of ninety grounded aircraft occupying the apron space meant for parking of other aircraft that are operating within the airport,” Gathungu said in the audit report.
She also stated that KAA was losing revenue because certain operators of these grounded aircraft were not paying parking charges.
According to the reports, KAA has not been able to clear the backlog through auction.
The authority said that only five aircraft have been auctioned successfully since 2024; Wilson had about 70 of its planes grounded, and additional aircraft have come in since.
“It’s a continuous process, and more are added with time. We have auctioned some, and we’re continuing to seek ways to dispose of the remaining ones,” a KAA spokesperson said.
The authority is also exploring the possibility of selling aircraft that are no longer worth maintaining as scrap metal if their owners cannot settle the accumulated charges.
The congestion comes as flight activity at Wilson Airport continues to increase.
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The airport had 83,855 aircraft movements in the year to June 2025 compared with 65,512 in the year to June 2021-a 28 per cent increase.
KAA stated that some of the aircraft have been diverted to Orly Airpark near Kiserian.
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KAA’s Profit Drop Linked to Revenue decline and infrastructure problems at Wilson Airport
Revenue questions were raised as KAA’s profit dropped by almost half to Ksh 3.8 billion in the year to June 2025 following a drop of about Ksh 1.1 billion in revenue.
The audit also revealed wider infrastructure problems at Wilson, such as no adequate terminal building, limited passenger and car parking areas, and a security screening system that was not fully implemented.
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An aerial view of the Wilson Airport. PHOTO/ PHOTO/ Kreuz Schnabel, Wikimedia Commons