The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has explained the cause of delays in the renovation of two terminals at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), seven months past the deadline.
KAA had initially announced a disruption notice on terminals 1B and 1C in January 2021 and was expected to be completed in twelve months.
A source privy to the matter revealed to Kenyans.co.ke that the delay was attributed to unforeseen events that were not involved in the planning period.
"When we were renovating, we found out that some aspects had to be added while other systems had to be replaced in its entirety," he stated.
"Also two bridges that were left hanging had to be brought down. The bridges connected two terminals to the old international terminals hence after we lost the Central building, we had to destroy the bridges," the source affirmed.
The source confirmed that the expected completion timeline is September 2022.
"It's lined to be complete by the end of September. We are working on the finishing touches," the source added.
The renovations, announced in January last year, were to cost an average of Ksh963 million. The renovations were meant to improve the check-in, security screening, retail operations as well as lounge experience for departing passengers.
Further, the renovations were made to improve customer experience and position the airport as the preferred aviation hub in East Africa.
The 12-month renovation exercise saw airlines shift their operational terminals from terminals 1B and 1C to 1A.
These affected Lufthansa in Germany, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Rwanda amongst others.
However, seven months after the expected completion timeline, complaints of congestion in the terminals were raised. The exercise led to delays in passenger clearance.
