Isiolo International Airport occupies a strategic position at the heart of Kenya’s northern corridor, linking the country to Ethiopia and South Sudan while anchoring the broader Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.
Commissioned in 2017, the airport was envisioned as a gateway to Northern Kenya’s vast but underdeveloped economic potential, particularly in trade, tourism, livestock and logistics.
For years, however, the airport has operated below capacity, with limited commercial flights and cargo activity. That is now changing as the government rolls out renewed investments aimed at unlocking its regional role and ensuring the facility supports both domestic connectivity and cross-border trade.
Recent upgrades to boost capacity and safety
In 2025 and 2026, the government, through the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), prioritised major upgrades to make Isiolo International Airport fully operational. Central to these works is the extension and rehabilitation of the runway, which is being expanded to accommodate larger commercial aircraft that were previously unable to land at the facility.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir told the Senate that the runway extension is critical to the airport’s future viability.
“We must extend the runway to allow larger aircraft to land here. Without that, this airport cannot serve its intended purpose as a regional hub,” Chirchir said during a parliamentary briefing.
The upgrades also include airfield lighting, which will enable night operations, and the construction of a dedicated air traffic control tower to replace temporary facilities. A modern fire and rescue station is also part of the upgrade plan, ensuring the airport meets international aviation safety standards.
These improvements are expected to attract scheduled domestic flights, charter services and cargo operators, reversing years of underutilisation.
Unlocking trade, tourism and regional logistics
Isiolo’s importance goes beyond passenger travel. Its location places it at the crossroads of livestock routes, tourism circuits and regional trade corridors, making it a natural logistics hub for Northern Kenya.
With improved infrastructure, the airport is expected to support exports of livestock, meat products, miraa, fruits and vegetables, reducing reliance on long road journeys to Nairobi. Faster air transport could significantly cut post-harvest losses and improve earnings for pastoralist communities.
President William Ruto has repeatedly linked Isiolo Airport to economic inclusion in arid and semi-arid regions.
“Isiolo is not just an airport; it is a bridge between Northern Kenya and global markets,” Ruto said during a development forum in 2025.
Tourism is another key beneficiary. Isiolo sits near major attractions including Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs reserves, yet limited air access has constrained visitor numbers. Improved airport operations could make the region more accessible to both domestic and international tourists.
Decongesting other Airports and driving regional balance
Beyond Northern Kenya, Isiolo International Airport could ease pressure on Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by handling regional cargo and charter flights. This decentralisation aligns with the government’s broader push to balance development and reduce congestion at Nairobi-based facilities.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo has argued that fully operationalising the airport will change the region’s economic trajectory.
“This airport has the potential to transform Isiolo into a logistics and investment hub for the entire northern frontier,” he said.
With runway expansion, safety upgrades and cargo infrastructure taking shape, Isiolo International Airport is gradually moving from an underused asset to a strategic engine for regional growth—one that could redefine connectivity, trade and opportunity across Northern Kenya.
