{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Airport",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry": "Sierra Leone",
    "addressLocality": "Kenema"
  },
  "airlines": [
    "Regional Charter",
    "Private Aviation"
  ],
  "amenityFeature": [
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "35 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to International Connection Time",
      "value": "65 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "65 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to International Connection Time",
      "value": "80 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Interline Connection Time",
      "value": "100 minutes"
    }
  ],
  "city": "Kenema",
  "code": "KEN",
  "connection_tips": "Kenema Airport (KEN) is a vital regional aviation facility in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, serving the city of Kenema and the surrounding diamond-mining and agricultural communities. The airport primarily handles domestic flights and private charters operated by regional air taxis, connecting Kenema to the national hub at Freetown (FNA). For international travelers, the journey requires first flying into Freetown and then taking a short domestic flight or a 5 to 6-hour road transfer via the Masiaka-Kenema highway. Upon arrival at the Kenema airstrip, expect extremely basic infrastructure. The airfield features a single paved runway but lacks a formal terminal building, commercial dining, or retail services.\n\nTravelers must be entirely self-sufficient, bringing their own food, water, and essential medical supplies. Ground transportation is highly informal, consisting primarily of local private vehicles or 'okadas' (motorbikes) for transit into the city center, which is located approximately 5 kilometers from the strip. Most visitors coordinate a pickup through their local host or a specialized agency. Before traveling to this part of Sierra Leone, ensure you have all required regional permits and are up to date on malaria prophylaxis and yellow fever vaccinations.\n\nThe regional climate is tropical and humid, with a significant rainy season from May to October that can lead to localized flight groundings. Travelers should ensure they have sufficient Sierra Leonean Leones (SLL) in cash, as card systems and ATMs are limited outside of the capital. When connecting from Kenema back to an international flight in Freetown, always allow for a minimum 24-hour buffer to account for the unpredictable nature of regional aviation. This is a frontier location where local knowledge and preparedness are the keys to a successful connection.",
  "country": "Sierra Leone",
  "flag_url": "https://flagcdn.com/w320/sl.png",
  "flight_search_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=USD",
  "frequent_traveler_tip": [
    "The apt is 10-min taxi ride from Kenema city center; agreement on fare is standard practice.",
    "No ATMs or currency exchange on-site; ensure you carry enough CFA Leones from Freetown.",
    "Baggage weight is strictly monitored on small aircraft; check limits with your charter operator.",
    "Unpaved gravel runway; expect potential delays or cancellations during the tropical rainy season.",
    "Restricted to daylight operations; ensure your arrival is well before sunset."
  ],
  "global_map_link": "https://www.google.com/maps?q=Kenema%20Airport%20Kenema",
  "google_maps_reviews": {
    "rating": 0.0,
    "recent_reviews": [],
    "total_reviews": 0
  },
  "hotel_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=USD",
  "iataCode": "KEN",
  "icao": "GFKE",
  "international": false,
  "last_modified": "June 2026",
  "last_updated": "2026-03-29",
  "latitude": 7.89129,
  "layover_planner_info": "Limited services; plan ahead.",
  "longitude": -11.1766,
  "mct_domestic_to_domestic": 35,
  "mct_domestic_to_international": 65,
  "mct_interline": 100,
  "mct_international_to_domestic": 65,
  "mct_international_to_international": 80,
  "missed_connection_help": "Contact airline staff for assistance.",
  "name": "Kenema Airport",
  "region": "Africa",
  "related_airports": [
    {
      "code": "FNA",
      "name": "Lungi International"
    },
    {
      "code": "KBS",
      "name": "Bo Airport"
    },
    {
      "code": "WYE",
      "name": "Yengema Airport"
    }
  ],
  "terminal_info": "Kenema Airport (KEN), officially identified by its ICAO code GFKE, is a significant regional aviation facility serving Kenema, the third-largest city in Sierra Leone. Situated in the Eastern Province, the airport acts as a critical air bridge between the country's interior and the national capital, particularly supporting the regional diamond industry, government missions, and humanitarian deliveries. The facility sits at an elevation of approximately 486 feet (148 meters) above sea level and is surrounded by the lush, tropical landscapes characteristic of the eastern Sierra Leonean plateau.\n\nThe airport features a modest, single-story integrated passenger terminal designed for functional simplicity rather than high-volume commercial traffic. The terminal building houses essential passenger functions, including a basic check-in area and a functional waiting lounge. Because the facility primarily manages low-volume domestic flights and specialized charter operations, the layout is highly intuitive, with all zones located within short walking distance of one another. The infrastructure is specifically optimized for efficiency, allowing for quick transitions from the terminal entrance to the aircraft apron under close supervision.\n\nAmenities within the Kenema terminal are minimalist and reflect its role as a regional and industrial hub. While there are no formal restaurants, Duty-Free shops, or ATMs on-site, travelers can find essential seating and basic sanitation facilities in the waiting area. The airport features a 1,150-meter (3,770 ft) unpaved gravel runway (04/22) that is well-maintained to support light fixed-wing aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan or regional turboprops. The facility is strictly restricted to daylight operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), as there is no runway lighting for night landings.\n\nGround transportation at KEN is well-coordinated with the local urban infrastructure, with the central Kenema city just a 5-to-10 minute drive away. Travelers can easily access the town via private hire vehicles or pre-arranged taxis stationed outside the terminal exit. There are no dedicated airport shuttle buses or permanent car rental desks on-site; most authorized visitors needing independent transport arrange for pick-ups through local contacts, diamond companies, or government offices. Travelers are generally advised to arrive at least 90 minutes before their domestic flight to account for standard security and baggage processing procedures.",
  "terminal_map_url": "https://skyvector.com/airport/GFKE"
}