PS Teresia Mbaika Signals Expansion of Aviation Training as JKIA Upgrade Nears

The government is set to scale up aviation skills training and student accommodation capacity in anticipation of increased demand following the planned modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika has said.

Speaking on Wednesday at East Africa School of Aviation ( EASA) , PS Mbaika noted that the JKIA upgrade will position Kenya as a stronger regional aviation hub, creating new employment and business opportunities that will require a larger pool of highly skilled aviation professionals.

“The modernisation of JKIA will unlock more business opportunities and generate additional jobs across the aviation value chain,” she said, adding that training institutions must be adequately equipped to meet industry needs.

As part of the expansion strategy, the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development has opened talks with the Affordable Housing Board for the development of Phase One student hostels at the East Africa School of Aviation (EASA), expected to accommodate 450 students.

PS Mbaika said the government will also support continued investment in modern training technology, including advanced simulation facilities, to ensure Kenyan aviation graduates meet global regulatory, safety, and security standards.

The policy direction comes amid growing demand for specialised aviation skills, with engineers and pilots from Kenya Airways, Safarilink, Tropic Air, Air Kenya, ALS, and Skyward currently undertaking refresher programmes on quality assurance and flight procedure design under the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

She further emphasised the importance of gender inclusion, saying deliberate efforts will be made to encourage more young women to pursue careers in aviation, particularly in technical fields.

Kenya’s aviation training landscape has gained international recognition, with EASA holding Platinum Training Centre of Excellence status under the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Programme, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading aviation training hub in the region.

The government believes that strengthening aviation training institutions will be critical to supporting ongoing infrastructure upgrades and sustaining long-term growth in the sector.