Night flights are yet to resume on the revamped main runway at Wilson Airport, more than two weeks after it was partially reopened for daytime operations, resulting in prolonged inconvenience for airline operators who still have to queue for services on a secondary taxiway after sunset.
Commercial flights predominantly land at Wilson Airport on runway 7 via the Bomas- Uhuru Gardens route. Runway 07 had, however, been temporarily shut for about seven months to allow for upgrades, with airlines reverting to runway 14/32, which is approached through the Kibera-Nyayo Highrise route.
Runway 07 was reopened by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) from Wednesday, July 29, 2026, for daytime flights between 6.30 am and 6.30 pm.
KAA attributed the delayed resumption of night flights on the main runway at Wilson Airport to pending approvals by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) on the facility’s rehabilitated visual aid lights.
KAA told Business Daily that the contractor working on runway 07 had interfered with the Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) system during the rehabilitation works, hence the repairs which now require KCAA’s nod before it can be reopened for night flights.
An AGL system refers to the network of specialised lights that are installed along runways, taxiways and approach areas to help pilots safely navigate and land at an airport, especially in low-visibility and night conditions.
“The AGL issue has been rectified, but for night operations to resume, KCAA approval is required. The night flights have not resumed yet as we are waiting for the approvals. However, the runway works were completed, and the runway was opened for day flights between 6.30 am and 6.30 pm.” KAA said.
The development means airlines operating from Wilson are still unable to use the refurbished Runway 07 for flights arriving or departing after 6.30 pm, which limits the benefits of the reopening.
Runway 07 was reopened on July 29 after nearly six months of rehabilitation, ending a period in which airlines had to share Runway 14/32 for both take-offs and landings. The arrangement had resulted in congestion, longer aircraft turnaround times and higher fuel consumption as aircraft waited for clearance.
Aircraft parked at Wilson Airport in Nairobi on May 2, 2019.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Safarilink, Renegade Air, Airkenya Express and other domestic carriers adjusted their schedules to accommodate the works, forcing some carriers to shift part of their operations to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Safarilink Aviation CEO, Alex Avedi, previously told Business Daily that airlines were at times forced to keep several aircraft engines running while waiting to take off, which increased their operational costs.
The reopening of Runway 07 was expected to ease congestion and restore more predictable schedules, particularly for airlines serving domestic and regional destinations.
However, the continued restriction on night operations means carriers whose flights arrive after 6.30 pm from destinations such as Kisumu, Mombasa, the Coast and Zanzibar must continue using the alternative runway or diverting operations to JKIA.
