Phase-II upgrade works for Kisumu Airport begin

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Upgrade works for the second upgrade phase of the Kisumu Airport have begun. The airport, which on completion will become the third largest airport in the country will be undertaken by China Overseas Engineering Group Company and is expected to take 15 months.

The phase one upgrade saw the airport officially opened by the President in February this year. The Sh3.3 billion upgrade took three years to complete. It involved setting up new facilities like access roads, a modern apron and a car parking lot.

The works on phase II, said to cost Sh1.9 billion will involve construction of a parallel taxiway, a cargo apron and other associated facilities. The project will see to the strengthening of the runaway as well as ground lighting. The new airfield lighting will include directional signs, runaway lights and approach lights will be mounted at the facility.

The new apron will accommodate bigger aircrafts and a new car park that will hold about 130 cars.Currently, the airport lacks cargo transit sheds which are planned to be included in the phase II.

The upgrade will see the international airport accommodate bigger aircrafts and over 300,000 passengers per year. It is said to have the potential to open up the EAC markets as well as easing road traffic in the region. New routes linking Nairobi, Entebe, Kigali, Arusha, Mwanza and Juba are also viewed as possible through the airport.

The President launched the upgrade project in July 2009 during a groundbreaking ceremony which he officiated. The airport is the fourth international airport in the country.

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