Aviation Security Service Providers and GHAs

AVIATION SECURITY SERVICE PROVIDERS

Pursuant to the provisions of Regulation 51(1) of the Civil Aviation (Security) Regulations 2020, a person shall not operate an enterprise or an organization whose purpose is the provision of aviation security service at an airport within Kenya without a written Aviation Security Service Provider Programme approved by the Authority and a certificate issued by the Authority. Operators within airports in Kenya conducting aviation security functions are required to recognize and only engage with such entities holding valid certification.

Note: Aviation Security Service Providers shall include those companies that own and intend to utilize or supply Explosives Detection Dogs (EDDs) and their handlers for aviation security purposes at airports.

Certification or recertification of Aviation Security Service Providers (ASSPs) shall be site/branch-specific. This means that in order to be certified/re-certified, the applicant must operate from own or leased premises, i.e. having a facility/branch under its control and covered by a valid Security Programme approved by the Authority which provides for the management of security of its customers and its operations as appropriate. The applicant must also employ or contract security personnel that are certified by the Authority.

Applicants for Aviation Security Service Provider certification shall ensure that they are registered by and comply with the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) law and directives. Proof of registration by PSRA shall form part of the criteria for certification and recertification of an ASSP by KCAA. Those Security Service Providers that are de-registered by the PSRA shall subsequently be de-registered by the Authority as ASSPs.

Applicants for initial certification as Aviation Security Service Providers should submit their online applications to the Authority at least ninety (90) days in advance while those applying for recertification should do so at least sixty (60) days before expiry of their certificate. Where an applicant has more than one site/branch, each site shall be applied for separately with its own set of the required documents.

Applicants for initial issuance or renewal of an Aviation Security Service Provider certificate shall register and submit their applications online through the link https://ecitizen.kcaa.or.ke/login. Guidelines on the required documents for the initial issuance and renewal of certificates are available on the same portal.

For more details on the certification process, refer to the list of documents below: -

GROUND HANDLING AGENCIES (GHAs)

A person shall not operate an enterprise or an organization whose purpose is the provision of aviation services as part of ground handling services at an airport within Kenya without a written Ground Handling Service Provider Security Programme and a certificate issued by the Authority. Airport and Aircraft Operators within Kenya are required to recognize and only engage with such entities holding valid certification.

Certification or recertification of GHAs as aviation security service providers shall be airport-specific. This means that GHAs providing aviation security service shall be certified/re-certified, based on the major airport of operation (Base airport) and covered by a valid Security Programme approved by the Authority which provides for the management of security of its customer airlines and its operations as appropriate. The applicant must also employ or contract security personnel that are certified by the Authority.

Applicants for initial certification should submit their online applications to the Authority at least ninety (90) days in advance while those applying for recertification should do so at least sixty (60) days before expiry of their certificate. Where an applicant operates from multiple airports, the applicant (at Base airport) shall indicate which other stations are covered and controlled by the Base airport. Otherwise, each station shall be applied for separately with their own set of the required documents.

Applicants for initial issuance or renewal of GHA certificate shall register and submit their applications online through the link https://ecitizen.kcaa.or.ke/login. Guidelines on the required documents for the initial issuance and renewal of certificates are available on the same portal.

List of Certified Ground Handlers (GHAs) Providing Aviation Security Service - 30 April 2025