Kenya has launched a Sh177 million new generation aircraft recovery system at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), becoming the first country in Africa to acquire such advanced emergency response equipment.

The system will enable swift and safe removal of stalled aircraft from runways, enhancing passenger safety and minimizing service disruptions at the country’s busiest airport.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) commissioned the equipment on Friday, June 27, during an event attended by senior aviation officials and stakeholders, including KAA Chairperson Caleb Kositany.

The state-of-the-art recovery system was delivered through a partnership with AMS Aircraft Recovery Ltd of the United Kingdom and International Partnership for Services East Africa (IPSEA).

“This investment marks a major step forward in our efforts to enhance safety and operational resilience,” Kositany said. “We want to be able, with this equipment now, to clear the runway faster than any other time before. Within an hour of an incident, we should be able to resume flights and carry on with operations normally.”

The system comes with a complete suite of tools—tailored for aircraft that are immobilised due to gear collapse, veering off runways or other emergencies. According to AMS Aircraft Recovery Limited Managing Director Yudie Fishman, the contract includes delivery of the equipment and hands-on training for KAA staff.

“All of the equipment came from our UK operation which services commercial airlines and airports. It is a complete suite of equipment that could handle any scenario, a wide-body jet in the most serious incident,” Fishman said.

KAA personnel have already undergone intensive training both in Kenya and the UK to ensure effective handling of any incidents requiring aircraft recovery.

The system includes advanced lifting, towing and aircraft support tools designed to handle a wide range of emergency situations.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, in remarks read by Kositany during the commissioning, said: “The commissioning of this recovery system is not only about emergency preparedness. It is about business continuity, competitiveness and protecting Kenya’s growing aviation industry. With this system in place, JKIA joins a select group of African airports with world-class recovery capabilities, proof of our resolve to meet ICAO standards and uphold global aviation safety benchmarks.”

This investment forms part of KAA’s larger plan to strengthen safety infrastructure across airports. Recent upgrades include the purchase of modern fire trucks, a mobile emergency command centre, and a shift to environmentally friendly firefighting foam—improvements that place JKIA ahead of many African peers.

Globally, data from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) shows that nearly 150 aircraft disablement incidents occur annually, with average runway closures lasting about 17 hours.

In extreme cases, recovery operations can take up to seven days.

Kenya has also experienced such setbacks, especially at JKIA, which operates on a single runway. Past incidents have caused major flight delays, diversions, and temporary airport shutdowns.

One such event occurred recently when an aircraft suffered a tyre burst while landing.

The plane had to circle JKIA airspace to empty its fuel tank before making an emergency landing—disrupting operations for about two hours. The new recovery equipment is expected to significantly reduce response time in such emergencies.

“The commissioning of this system is a game-changer in the region,” Kositany noted, adding that KAA is now better prepared to handle complex emergencies while ensuring minimal impact on operations.

“This equipment reinforces our commitment to delivering safe, efficient and world-class airport services.”

With the recovery system now in place, JKIA is aligned with ICAO recommendations for robust Disabled Aircraft Removal Plans (DARP) and joins major global hubs like JFK in New York and Heathrow in London in possessing high-end recovery systems. The move positions JKIA as a benchmark facility in East Africa for emergency response and recovery excellence.