Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (HKJK)
Large airport · Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya
Airport data
| Name | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | HKJK |
| IATA | NBO |
| Elevation | 5,330 ft (1625 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | S 1°19'8" E 36°55'42" -1.31889, 36.92823 |
| Location | Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24 | 13,507 ft (4117 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at a glance
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is a large airport in Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya, known to airline systems as NBO. The field elevation of 5,330 ft (1625 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at HKJK are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 06/24, offers 13,507 ft (4117 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 06 points roughly 60° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for HKJK shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Moi Air Base | HKRE | 9 km (5 NM) |
| Nairobi Wilson Airport | HKNW | 13 km (7 NM) |
| Nanyuki Civil Airport | HKNL | 140 km (76 NM) |
| Nakuru Lanet Airport | HKNK | 142 km (77 NM) |
| Laikipia Air Base | HKNY | 150 km (81 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 5,330 ft field elevation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 24 airports and airfields we list for Kenya — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is HKJK, and its IATA code is NBO. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport above sea level?
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport sits at an elevation of 5,330 feet (1625 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport located?
The airport lies at -1.3189, 36.9282 — in Nairobi, Nairobi City County, Kenya, in the southern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Moi Air Base, about 9 km away.
Does HKJK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for HKJK appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport?
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has one runway. The longest, 06/24, measures 13,507 ft (4117 m) with a ASP surface.