The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has announced that it received a fresh batch of applications for the grant and variation of air service licences by 34 local and international airlines.
In a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on March 19, 2026, the regulator said the applications are made under the Civil Aviation Act, 2013, and the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2018.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the Civil Aviation Act (No. 21 of 2013) and the Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2018 (Regulation 25), Notice is given that the applicants whose particulars are specified in the first column of the schedule below have applied for various air service licences. The particulars of the applications are specified in the second column,” read the notice in part
Stakeholders have 21 days from the date of publication to submit written representations either supporting or opposing the applications.
Any representation in favour of or against any application should be made in writing to the Director General, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, P.O. Box 30163 – 00100, Nairobi
The list features a mix of global carriers, regional operators, and Kenyan aviation firms seeking approvals to operate passenger, cargo, and specialised aerial services across domestic, regional, and international routes.
Also Read: KCAA Grants Air Service Licenses to 38 Airlines
KCAA List 34 Local and Global Airlines Applying for Air Service Licenses
Among the applicants is Saudi Arabian Airlines, which is seeking approval to operate international non-scheduled cargo services linking Jeddah and Nairobi to multiple destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Several regional operators from Tanzania—including Tanzanian Air Services, Air Excel, Regional Air Services, and Coastal Air—have applied to operate non-scheduled passenger, cargo, and mail services between Kenya and Tanzania.
Tropic Helicopters Limited, based in Arusha, seeks permission to operate passenger, cargo, and mail flights between designated entry and exit points in Tanzania and Kenya, as well as self-fly hire services on the same routes.
In addition, Tropic Helicopters has applied for licences to conduct aerial work across the East African Community, including aerial patrols and surveys, sightseeing and aerial photography, agricultural operations such as spraying, seeding, and dusting, game and livestock management, including selection, culling, counting, and herding, and acrobatic aerial operations.
Level Up Aviation Limited has applied for licences to operate international non-scheduled passenger and cargo flights, as well as emergency medical air services between Tanzania and Kenya.
Other foreign-linked applications include My Freighter (Centrum Air), which is seeking to expand its cargo network by adding the Sharjah–Eldoret–Nairobi route.
Mombasa Air Safari Limited has applied to vary its existing licence to include the DHC8 aircraft, while Ram Air Limited seeks approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to provide flying instruction services within Kenya using the C172 aircraft based at Malindi Airport.
ALS Limited proposes to provide flying instruction services within Kenya using the C172 aircraft based at Wilson Airport.
Airlines Seek Domestic and International Air Service Approvals
Ismax Airline Limited, Sos, and Chris Aviation Limited seek licences for international non-scheduled passenger flights to Africa and domestic non-scheduled passenger services within Kenya.
Dragonfly Aviation Limited seeks approval for both international and domestic non-scheduled passenger, cargo, and mail services.
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Trident Aviation and Z. Boskovic Air Charters are seeking approvals for both domestic and international passenger and cargo operations, while Rotorjet Aviation, Yellow Wings Air Services, Peakwing Aviation, and Prime Aviation are targeting emergency medical evacuation and aerial work services.
A number of operators, including Sicham Aviation and Renegade Air, have applied for aerial work services, including surveillance, agricultural spraying, firefighting, wildlife management, and aerial photography.
Flight training also features prominently, with Pegasus Flyers, and Standards Aviation seeking licences to offer flying instructions within Kenya.
Additionally, Freedom Airline Express has applied to operate an extensive domestic scheduled network linking Nairobi to towns such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Wajir, and Lamu, as well as international non-scheduled services.
Meanwhile, Aerospace Consortium Limited is seeking approval to operate both domestic and international scheduled flights connecting Nairobi to regional cities, including Juba, Kigali, Entebbe, and Dar es Salaam.
