Geza Ulole
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 59,062
- 79,089
Actually this is after Kisumu Airport and Eldoret airport proved to be big white elephants!
Meanwhile zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Songwe and Mwanza r all being expanded while dodoma needs a completely new facility!
Let Kenya keeps everything in Nairobi in trying to prop n keep a stronghold on a hub concept n continue to have proper secondary cities as Uganda, Rwanda n other landlocked neighbours that Kenya depended for transit customers via Nairobi r introducing directly flights to Mombasa outside Nairobi.
Kisumu and Eldoret Airports Underutilized?
TRAVEL
Kisumu and Eldoret Airports Underutilized?
By Nyakach Denis
Posted on November 20, 2016
3 min read
Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera yesterday told a parliamentary committee that Kisumu and Eldoret airports were under-utilised after billions of shillings were used to improve their status. Mr Nyakera said the ministry will open the new Isiolo Airport mid next month and was also undertaking a major infrastructural expansion of Kakamega and Ukunda airstrips.
The PS told the National Assembly Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Housing that the mega-investments were not making economic sense because they are under-utilised, even as the legislators lobbied for the improvement of airstrips across the country.
Nyakera said Kisumu Airport only attracts eight flight landings a day and a similar number of take-offs, which he said was way below its capacity.
Nyakera told the committee chaired by Starehe MP Maina Kamanda that the utilisation rate of the Eldoret Airport, which was to help handle cargo flights, was only at 15 per cent.“WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT NATIONAL RESOURCES ARE WELL SPENT. THE UTILISATION OF THESE FACILITIES IS WANTING. WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT ONLY EIGHT FLIGHTS LAND IN A DAY AT THE KISUMU AIRPORT, YET SH3 BILLION WAS SPENT ON THE FACILITY, THEN YOU REALISE THE BENEFITS OF THE GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT ARE NOT BEING REALISED,” HE SAID.
The PS said works on the Sh2.7 billion Isiolo International Airport were almost complete. The airport was expected to start receiving its scheduled flights this month. The airport, boasting a 5,000-square-metre terminal, which can handle up to 125,000 passengers, is part of Vision 2030 flagship projects intended to promote growth and unlock the economic potential of northern Kenya and neighbouring counties.
Nyakera said they will seek additional funds in the next financial year to improve its 1.4km runway and expand it to 2.5km.
Kisumu and Eldoret Airports Underutilized? - Amazing Kisumu
Nyakera said Kisumu Airport only attracts eight flight landings a day and a similar number of take-offs, which he said was way below its capacity.
amazingkisumu.co.ke