Bomas Mega-Complex Construction Forces Reroute of Wilson Airport Flight Path

Airlines operating out of Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi are being compelled to adopt alternative landing approaches as construction of the multi-billion shilling Bomas International Conference Complex (BICC) progresses.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has issued a directive to air operators regarding the temporary hazard posed by heavy machinery on the construction site, a development that directly impacts the traditional flight path used by aircraft approaching the busy hub for mainly local and regional flights.

The core of the disruption stems from the erection of four massive construction cranes by the Turkish contractor, Summa Turizm Yatirimciligi Anonim Sirketi. These cranes, critical for the ambitious project, are scheduled to operate at varying heights, ranging from 75 metres to 85 metres Above Ground Level (AGL).

Their operational period is stipulated to run from mid-November 2025 through to April 30, 2026, creating a five-month window where the high structures could interfere with standard plane navigation and the established glide slope.

In response, KCAA convened a high-stakes stakeholders’ engagement meeting yesterday, November 11, 2025. The session, held in Nairobi, brought together representatives from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), the Kenya Association of Air Operators, and relevant state agencies.

The primary objective was to thoroughly review the safety implications of the tall structures on aircraft operations and recommend appropriate mitigation measures to guarantee continued air safety.

The BICC is a flagship infrastructure project under the government’s plan to enhance Kenya’s position as a premier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism in East Africa.

While the development promises significant economic returns, the necessary adjustments to one of Africa’s busiest airports for light aircraft underscore the delicate balance required between accelerating national construction goals and adhering to stringent international aviation safety standards.