JKIA attracts More Global airlines raising congestion fears

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Risks of congestion continue to threaten Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after it announced that five international carriers are expected to start using the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from April. JKIA though is Kenya’s largest aviation facility raises concerns of congestion which it is already experiencing especially at some specific times of the day, still allows for more carriers to use the facility.

Adding to the already 28 airlines operating from the airport will be; Etihad, Air Dubai, Royal Air Maroc and Air Malawi. A 140-aircraft Skyteam of Korea Airlines already started flying chartered flights to Nairobi, delivering the first batch of 120 tourists mid January this year.

 
This comes in a time when Kenya Airways also announced plans to increase its current fleet by double. Kenya Airports Authority however says that they are doing what’s necessary to ensure the operations go on well. They are looking forward to the building of a new terminal-green field. An aircraft parking plan has been introduced to help maximize space available as well as constructing additional remote aircraft parking bays. However, this does not solve the whole problem since the hangers where the aircrafts are repaired are still not enough.

The expansion works in JKIA initially were to be done in three phases to avoid disrupting the airport’s operations. The works involved increasing parking stands to accommodate 43 aircraft from the current 23, construction of a new terminal 4,expansion of terminal 3,upgrading of terminal 1 and 2 and new Taxiways to enhance more parking space. The expansion was expected to take three years. However, phase one which was scheduled for completion in June 2007 was completed in mid 2008 thus resulting into the subsequent delay of other phases of construction.

JKIA is the busiest airport in East Africa and the 6th busiest airport in Africa. It is attracting a lot of airlines as a result of its location in the fast growing economic region.

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