A growing backlog of abandoned and grounded planes is squeezing Wilson Airportโs limited apron space, disrupting operations and denying the Kenya Airports Authority potential parking income
At least 90 grounded aircraft are occupying valuable parking space at Nairobiโs Wilson Airport, creating congestion at one of Kenyaโs busiest aviation hubs and costing the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) revenue.
The finding is contained in the Auditor-Generalโs report on KAA for the financial year ended June 30, 2025. The audit found that the aircraft were occupying apron space intended for operational planes, while some of their owners were no longer paying parking fees.
The situation highlights a wider challenge facing Wilson Airport: demand for aviation space is increasing at the same time that infrastructure and parking capacity remain under pressure.
The grounded aircraft belong to private aviation companies, flying schools and individuals. Some have been left at the airport for extended periods, while others are unlikely to return to service.
According to Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu, the aircraft are occupying areas that should be available to planes actively using the airport. This has created congestion while simultaneously reducing the authority’s ability to earn parking revenue from operational aircraft.
The problem is not entirely new. KAA identified 92 abandoned aircraft across several Kenyan airports in a 2024 auction exercise, including 70 at Wilson. The latest audit indicates that the backlog has persisted and the number at Wilson has now reached about 90.
KAA has struggled to dispose of the aircraft because of ownership complications, unpaid charges and difficulties identifying or locating some owners. The authority says disposal is an ongoing process, but only about five aircraft had been successfully auctioned since 2024.
The parking crisis comes as Wilson Airport experiences rising aircraft activity.
The airport recorded 83,855 aircraft movements in the year to June 2025, up from 65,512 in the year to June 2021. That represents an increase of about 28 per cent in four years.
Wilson plays a critical role in Kenya’s aviation industry, handling domestic and charter services, tourism flights, medical evacuation operations and flight training. Its importance means that congestion can have consequences beyond the airport itself, potentially affecting operators, passengers and businesses that depend on reliable air transport.
An Aircraft Accident Investigation Department report has previously described congestion at Wilson as a known problem and noted that limited parking had resulted in some aircraft being parked for long periods in apron areas.
Revenue loss adds to KAA’s financial pressure
The grounded aircraft issue comes at a difficult time for KAA’s finances.
The authority’s overall profit almost halved to Sh3.8 billion in the year to June 2025, while total revenue declined by about Sh1.1 billion. Aeronautical revenues also fell, with income from aircraft landing and parking fees dropping to Sh4.5 billion from Sh5 billion the previous year.
The 90 aircraft therefore represent more than an issue of physical space. Where aircraft owners do not settle parking charges, KAA loses income while still having to manage the aircraft and accommodate them within an already constrained facility.
KAA’s published tariffs charge aircraft parking based on aircraft weight, meaning the value of available parking space varies according to the aircraft using it. The continued occupation of that space by non-operational aircraft limits the authority’s ability to maximise its facilities.
Disposal efforts face obstacles
KAA has previously attempted to address the problem through public auctions.
In January 2024, the authority advertised abandoned aircraft for disposal, including planes belonging to airlines, aviation companies, flying schools, government institutions and private individuals. Some of the aircraft were associated with operators that are no longer active.
However, disposing of abandoned aircraft is not as straightforward as clearing ordinary abandoned property. Ownership disputes, accumulated charges and legal proceedings can complicate the process.
A 2025 High Court ruling involving aircraft at Wilson Airport illustrates some of those difficulties. The case involved access to two aircraft for auction purposes, showing the legal and procedural hurdles that can accompany efforts to dispose of long-grounded planes.
KAA has indicated that aircraft that are no longer usable and whose owners cannot settle their obligations may ultimately be disposed of as scrap metal.
Infrastructure constraints compound the problem
The grounded aircraft are only one part of Wilson Airport’s capacity challenge.
The Auditor-General also flagged inadequate screening equipment, limited vehicle parking, unreliable power supply and the absence of a proper terminal building. The passenger waiting area currently accommodates only about 50 people, raising concerns about overcrowding during busy periods.
Parliament has separately raised concerns about infrastructure deterioration and safety risks at Wilson, including encroachment around designated flight paths. The government has announced a phased upgrade programme that includes runway rehabilitation and expansion.
The airport’s main runway, 07/25, was also closed for more than six months for maintenance and rehabilitation before reopening, putting additional pressure on operations during the period when movements were concentrated on the other runway.
The cost of inaction
For KAA, clearing the grounded aircraft could provide two immediate benefits: freeing scarce apron space and improving revenue collection.
For active operators, it could mean easier access to parking facilities and less congestion around aircraft movement areas. For the airport itself, better utilisation of existing space could improve operational efficiency while larger infrastructure projects are being implemented.
But the solution will require more than simply towing aircraft away. KAA must establish ownership, resolve legal claims, recover outstanding fees where possible and dispose of aircraft that have reached the end of their useful lives through transparent procedures.
The growing number of grounded planes also raises a broader question about how Kenya manages aviation infrastructure as demand increases.
Wilson Airport recorded significantly more aircraft movements in 2025 than four years earlier, yet its available space has not expanded at the same pace.
For KAA, the 90 grounded aircraft are therefore both a parking problem and a revenue problem. Clearing the backlog could free valuable space, improve airport efficiency and recover an income stream at a time when the authority is already under financial pressure.
