Mombasa Airport terminals, explained.
Moi International Airport (MBA) has two passenger terminals and a separate General Aviation Terminal. Terminal 1 is used principally for international travel, Terminal 2 principally for domestic flights, and the General Aviation Terminal serves private, charter and light-aircraft operations. This guide helps you arrive at the right building, follow the right passenger flow and plan your pickup or drop-off with confidence.
Moi International Airport’s IATA and ICAO codes.
The two passenger buildings sit next to each other.
Immigration, Customs and international passenger flow.
Most scheduled flights within Kenya.
Light aircraft, business aviation and special operations.
In Changamwe, west of Mombasa Island.
Save driver and meeting details before landing.
Terminal use can vary by carrier and flight.
Which terminal should you use at Mombasa Airport?
Use the terminal shown on your airline booking or latest travel notice. As a practical rule, international passengers use Terminal 1, domestic passengers use Terminal 2, and private, charter or safari-aircraft passengers follow instructions from their operator for the General Aviation Terminal.
This distinction matters because check-in desks, security lanes, immigration, baggage reclaim and your meeting point can all be terminal-specific. A driver taking a family to a domestic Jambojet flight, for example, should not assume the same entrance as a traveller checking in for an international departure.
The passenger terminals are beside one another, but it is still better to begin at the right entrance than to lose time moving luggage or asking to change areas. If your itinerary includes codeshares, an airline change or a separate ticket, check the airline’s current directions again on the day before travel.
Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the General Aviation Terminal.
These are the three terminal areas most travellers need to understand. The pages below explain the exact process in more detail for the terminal you are using.
Terminal 1: international flights
The main terminal for international travel, including the passenger steps that come with leaving or entering Kenya.
- International airline check-in, security and departure gates.
- Immigration, baggage reclaim and Customs for international arrivals.
- Services for departing travellers, subject to airline and operating hours.
Terminal 2: domestic flights
The usual starting point for passengers flying between Mombasa and destinations within Kenya.
- Domestic check-in, baggage drop, security and departure flow.
- Domestic-arrivals collection and exit arrangements.
- Ground transport planning for travel after landing.
General Aviation Terminal
A separate handling point for non-scheduled flights, from safari aircraft to business jets and specialist operations.
- Private aircraft, executive aviation and charter flight handling.
- Light-aircraft departures for selected coast and safari airstrips.
- Reporting details set by your operator, not a standard airline timetable.
What happens in Terminal 1?
Terminal 1 is where international travellers normally begin and end their journey through Mombasa Airport. Departing passengers follow airline check-in, baggage drop, security and immigration before entering the airside departure area. Arriving international passengers pass through immigration, collect checked luggage and clear Customs before exiting to the public side.
The most important preparation is to have your passport, relevant Kenya travel authorisation, flight documents and accommodation or onward-travel details ready. For departure, confirm baggage limits and check-in time with the operating airline rather than relying on a generic rule.
Check your documents before arriving
Keep your passport, booking confirmation and any required entry documents available before you join the terminal flow.
Check in, drop baggage and clear security
Follow the airline’s counter, luggage and screening instructions. Allow extra time at busy international departure periods.
Complete immigration or arrivals formalities
International departures and arrivals have immigration steps. Be ready to answer questions accurately and follow officers’ instructions.
Use the confirmed public exit or pickup point
After Customs on arrival, follow your driver’s verified instructions rather than accepting unplanned transport offers.
What happens in Terminal 2?
Terminal 2 is generally used for domestic Mombasa flights, including the core Nairobi route and other services within Kenya. The passenger process is simpler than an international journey because there is no immigration or Customs step, but check-in cut-offs and baggage rules still apply and are set by the airline.
Flying out of Mombasa
Arrive at the right terminal, find the airline counter, check in or drop bags, clear security and wait for boarding instructions.
Mombasa departures guideLanding on a domestic flight
Collect checked bags if you have them, leave through the public exit and follow your pre-arranged collection or transfer instructions.
Mombasa arrivals guideFlights within Kenya
Confirm whether your journey uses JKIA, Wilson or another airstrip, particularly when continuing to a safari or coastal destination.
Domestic flights guideUsing the General Aviation Terminal at Mombasa Airport.
The General Aviation Terminal is not a standard airline check-in hall. It is used for private aviation, charter activity, selected light-aircraft services, medical flights and specialist handling.
Passengers travelling to a safari airstrip, Diani or another light-aircraft destination should follow the reporting time, luggage rules and meeting point provided by their operator. Small aircraft have different limits for soft bags, weight distribution and weather-related schedule flexibility.
Do not assume your light-aircraft departure leaves from the same terminal as an airline flight. Ask the operator to confirm the exact terminal, check-in time, baggage policy and transfer arrangements in writing before travelling to the airport.
Airport layout, drop-off, parking and pickup.
Your journey becomes much easier when your driver knows the airline, flight number and correct terminal before setting off. This matters most for early departures, international flights, families with luggage and arrivals that need a reliable handover to the coast.
Use signed public access routes and the latest airport or airline instructions on the day. Do not rely on an old terminal memory, an unverified pickup message or a vague instruction to “meet outside.”
Send flight details to your driver
Share the airline, flight number, date and terminal instructions rather than only the airport name.
Use the correct terminal forecourt
Ask to be taken to the specific terminal in your itinerary and follow airport traffic directions on approach.
Arrange a clear arrival meeting point
For pickups, save the driver’s contact details, vehicle description and the exact public meeting instructions before landing.
Plan parking or a longer wait separately
Drivers meeting passengers should follow the airport’s current parking and access rules rather than stopping where it is not permitted.
Lounges, Wi-Fi, money, accessibility and other facilities.
Services can vary by terminal, airline, lounge access, operating hours and airport-side changes. These guides give you the practical detail to check before the day of travel.
Plan the airport stage of your journey.
Choose the guide that fits the part of the airport journey you need to solve next.
Mombasa Airport terminals FAQs
Direct answers to the terminal questions travellers ask most before flying from or into Moi International Airport.
How many terminals are at Mombasa Airport?
There are two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 for international passenger flow and Terminal 2 for domestic operations. A separate General Aviation Terminal handles private, charter and certain light-aircraft services.
Which terminal is used for international flights?
Terminal 1 is normally used for international flights, including immigration, Customs and international arrivals and departures. Confirm the terminal in your latest airline message before travel.
Which terminal is used for domestic flights?
Terminal 2 generally handles domestic flights within Kenya. Airline-specific arrangements can differ, so your carrier’s latest instructions take priority.
What is the General Aviation Terminal used for?
It is used for private aviation, business aircraft, charter activity, selected safari or light-aircraft flights and specialist operations. Your operator will confirm where and when to report.
Can I move between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2?
The passenger terminals are adjacent, but follow signage and do not pass through security at the wrong terminal. Allow extra time if you have a separate-ticket connection or need to change terminal areas.
Where should my taxi or driver drop me?
Ask the driver to take you to the terminal shown on your booking. Share airline, flight number and terminal information before setting off, then follow official traffic directions at the airport.
Where do I meet my airport transfer after landing?
Use the verified meeting instructions from your driver or hotel. Save their contact number, vehicle description and exact public meeting point before landing, then meet after the required arrivals formalities.
Are there lounges at Mombasa Airport?
Airport lounge availability and access are separate from the terminal choice. Check the Mombasa Airport lounges guide for current access options and service details.
Know the terminal. Then plan the transfer.
Once you know where your flight arrives or departs, arrange the onward journey to Mombasa, Diani Beach, the North Coast or the Miritini SGR Terminus with clear flight and terminal details.