State to Make Changes at JKIA, Rehabilitate Moi, Kisumu Airports

The state, through the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and two sister ministries, on Tuesday announced planned changes for the country's leading airports.

KAA, the Ministry of Transport and that of Tourism jointly endorsed the plans to overhaul services and facilities at JKIA, Moi and Kisumu International Airports.

Among the changes intended for JKIA is the rehabilitation and expansion of the domestic travels area in readiness for the business boom anticipated during the December holiday.

"We are currently expanding the passenger area at JKIA terminal 1D to cater for the increased number of domestic travellers during Christmas holidays," stated KAA Managing Director Jonny Andersen.

Andersen announced that KAA had completed the designs for the rehabilitation of JKIA’s Terminal 1B, C, and D.

The widening and strengthening of the runway at the Kisumu International Airport are also nearing completion in a plan to allow larger planes to land at the lakeside city.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of the Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Tourism CS Najib Balala welcomed the move saying the airport was critical for the coast region's economy.

Balala stressed the need to grow the aviation industry in Kenya and provide a stress-free travel to all airline customers.

KAA is carrying out the rehabilitation of the entire runway pavements at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa.

The works shall also entail the reconstruction of some sections of the taxiways, aprons and removal and replacement of pre-cast concrete slabs.

The airport shall also have its lighting fittings replaced for the runway and the taxiways shall have LED lights. The authority will also replace taxiways primary and secondary cables and transformers.