Cargo firms expand capacity at JKIA

Last Updated 15 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Several firms are expanding their facilities at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to meet the increasing freight handled by the airport. Officiating at the opening of Swissport’s Sh1 billion new cargo complex on November 8, Transport Minister Amos Kimunya said the Government will expand cargo facilities at all international airports to stimulate the export of agricultural products. “Cargo facilities at JKIA, Moi International in Mombasa and Kisumu will be expended to meet domestic and international demand which has grown to an annual excess of 12 per cent,” the minister said.

“Our domestic cargo is currently at 1.4 million kilogrammes while our international segment 304 million kilogrammes annually,” he added. ‘This can only be attained by developing facilities that meet international health standards and safety.”

Kimunya said the Swissport facility will ensure that perishable products such as flowers and vegetables are stored I cold rooms to retain capacity.

The Swissport complex is leased from the Kenya Airports Authority for a 20-year period measured 10,500 square metres and has a total capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year.

Signon Freight plans to build a warehouse at the airport to help cut down on its operational costs and enhance the security of its operations.

“To boost our ground handling operations , our cargo centre has been granted a plot by Kenya Airports Authority allowing airside access,”  said the Managing Director, Mr Meshack Kiptugen.
He said the facility would facilitate movement and storage of cargo from the aircraft direct into its warehouse thus assuring customers, airlines and other key stakeholders of the cargo’s safety and security.

Statistics at Kenya Airports Authority show that JKIA has five cargo handling facilities with a capacity to handle 200,000 tonnes per year.

Early this year, global logistics firm, DHL Express Kenya upgraded its 2,000 square metre cargo handling facility at the airport with the aim of improving the speed of shipment processing as well as cutting back on manual operations.