Ukunda Airport (UKA) is the main airport serving Diani Beach and the surrounding South Coast of Kenya. Located at Ukunda in Kwale County, the airport provides domestic air connections that allow passengers to reach Diani without first flying into Mombasa and completing the longer onward road journey.
Travellers planning journeys elsewhere in Kenya can browse the Kenya Domestic Flights Database — [PASTE FLIGHTS PAGE URL] — for airports, airstrips and domestic flight routes across the country.
Last checked: August 2026
Ukunda Airport at a Glance
Official Name: Ukunda Airport
Common Destination Name: Diani
IATA Code: UKA
ICAO Code: HKUK
Location: Ukunda
County: Kwale County
Country: Kenya
Airport Type: Domestic
Main Area Served: Diani Beach, Ukunda and surrounding South Coast destinations
Which Airport Serves Diani Beach?
Passengers flying directly to Diani normally use Ukunda Airport (UKA).
Although the airport’s official location is Ukunda, airlines, travel websites and passengers commonly associate it with Diani because of its proximity to the Diani Beach tourism area.
This means passengers searching for flights may encounter both:
Diani flights
and
Ukunda flights
Both can refer to services using Ukunda Airport.
Flights From Nairobi to Diani / Ukunda
Nairobi is one of the principal origin points for passengers flying to Ukunda.
Nairobi to Diani / Ukunda Flights Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Depending on the airline and scheduled service, Nairobi departures can operate from:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
or
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Passengers should therefore check the airport code on their booking before travelling to the airport.
Airlines Serving Ukunda Airport
Domestic and regional airlines provide connections to Ukunda according to their current schedules.
Jambojet
Jambojet operates domestic services to coastal destinations, including Diani/Ukunda.
Airline Code: JM
Fly 748
Fly 748 operates selected services connecting Nairobi with Ukunda.
Airline Code: 8H
Regional Airlines
Airlines operating from Wilson Airport may also provide passenger services to Diani/Ukunda.
Schedules and frequencies can change, particularly on tourism-oriented routes, so passengers should verify the current operating airline and departure airport when booking.
Ukunda Airport Code: UKA
The IATA airport code for Ukunda Airport is:
UKA
This is the code passengers should look for on tickets, flight searches and baggage information.
Examples include:
Nairobi → UKA — Nairobi to Diani / Ukunda
UKA → Nairobi — Diani / Ukunda to Nairobi
UKA should not be confused with other coastal airport codes:
MBA — Moi International Airport, Mombasa
MYD — Malindi Airport
LAU — Manda Airport, serving Lamu
Ukunda Airport or Diani Airport?
Passengers may encounter the terms Ukunda Airport and Diani Airport when searching for flights.
The airport used for scheduled passenger flights serving Diani is Ukunda Airport (UKA).
For Metros Kenya route guides, using both Diani and Ukunda is useful because travellers may search using either destination name.
Ukunda Airport or Mombasa Airport?
Passengers travelling to Diani have two main air-travel strategies:
Fly directly to Ukunda Airport (UKA)
or
Fly to Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa and continue to Diani by road
Moi International Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Flying directly to Ukunda can reduce the amount of ground travel required after landing.
However, passengers should compare available fares, flight schedules and total journey costs before choosing.
A cheaper ticket to Mombasa may still require a longer and more expensive onward transfer to Diani.
How Long Is the Nairobi to Diani Flight?
Flights between Nairobi and Ukunda generally take approximately:
1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes
Actual duration depends on the departure airport, airline, aircraft and routing.
The total passenger journey also includes travel to the Nairobi airport, check-in, security, boarding, baggage collection and transport from Ukunda Airport to the final destination.
Nairobi to Diani Flight Fares
For planning purposes, passengers can use an approximate one-way range of:
KSh 6,500–16,000
Actual ticket prices vary according to the airline, travel date, booking date, seat availability, baggage requirements and passenger demand.
Nairobi to Diani / Ukunda Flights Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Passengers should treat these figures as planning estimates rather than live fares.
Getting From Ukunda Airport to Diani Beach
One of Ukunda Airport’s main advantages is its location close to the Diani tourism area.
Passengers can continue from the airport to hotels, resorts, residences and other destinations around Diani, Ukunda and the surrounding South Coast.
Travellers should arrange suitable ground transport and check whether their accommodation provides airport transfers.
Check-In at Ukunda Airport
Passengers should follow the check-in deadline specified by their airline.
Allow sufficient time for:
Check-in → Baggage Processing → Security → Boarding
Passengers should carry identification accepted by their airline and ensure that their booking details are correct.
The airline’s official check-in deadline takes precedence over general travel guidance.
Baggage at Ukunda Airport
Baggage allowances depend on the operating airline, fare and aircraft.
Passengers should check:
- Cabin baggage allowance
- Checked baggage allowance
- Baggage weight limits
- Size restrictions
- Excess baggage charges
- Special baggage requirements
Passengers flying on smaller regional aircraft should pay particular attention to baggage restrictions.
Flying From Diani / Ukunda to Nairobi
Passengers can also fly in the opposite direction:
Ukunda Airport (UKA) → Nairobi
The Nairobi arrival airport can vary depending on the airline.
Passengers should confirm whether their flight arrives at:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
or
Wilson Airport (WIL)
This distinction becomes particularly important when connecting to another flight.
Connecting Through Nairobi
Passengers travelling from Diani to destinations without a direct flight may connect through Nairobi.
A journey could therefore operate as:
Ukunda (UKA) → Nairobi → Final Destination
Passengers should check whether the onward flight uses the same Nairobi airport.
A connection involving Wilson Airport (WIL) and JKIA (NBO) requires a road transfer between two separate airports and should not be treated as a normal terminal connection.
Diani, Mombasa or Malindi: Which Airport?
Passengers travelling to the Kenyan Coast should choose an airport according to their final destination.
Ukunda Airport (UKA) — Diani and surrounding South Coast
Moi International Airport (MBA) — Mombasa and surrounding areas
Malindi Airport (MYD) — Malindi, Watamu and surrounding North Coast
Choosing the airport closest to the final destination can reduce onward ground transport, although passengers should also compare airfare and flight availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the airport code for Diani?
The airport serving Diani is Ukunda Airport, with the IATA code UKA.
Does Diani have an airport?
Diani is served by Ukunda Airport (UKA), located close to the Diani Beach area.
Is Ukunda Airport the same as Diani Airport?
Ukunda Airport is the airport commonly used for scheduled flights serving Diani. Travellers may see the destination described as either Diani or Ukunda.
Are there flights from Nairobi to Diani?
Yes. Domestic services connect Nairobi with Ukunda Airport. Passengers should check the current airline and Nairobi departure airport.
How long is the Nairobi to Diani flight?
Passengers can generally plan for approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes.
Should I fly to Mombasa or Ukunda for Diani?
Ukunda Airport is closer to Diani. However, passengers should compare flight availability, fares and the cost of onward transport before choosing.
Can I fly from Diani back to Nairobi?
Yes. Passengers can fly from Ukunda Airport to Nairobi, subject to current airline schedules.
Related Flight and Airport Guides
Kenya Domestic Flights Database — [PASTE FLIGHTS PAGE URL]
Nairobi to Diani / Ukunda Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Wilson Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Moi International Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Malindi Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Manda Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Nairobi to Mombasa Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Nairobi to Malindi Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Ukunda Airport Summary
Airport: Ukunda Airport
Destination: Diani
IATA Code: UKA
ICAO Code: HKUK
Location: Ukunda, Kwale County
Airport Type: Domestic
Main Area Served: Diani Beach, Ukunda and Kenya’s South Coast
Ukunda Airport provides direct domestic air access to Diani Beach and the South Coast, making it an important alternative to flying through Mombasa for passengers whose final destination is the Diani area.
Before travelling, passengers should confirm their airline, Nairobi departure or arrival airport, flight number, departure time, baggage allowance and check-in requirements.
