Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has commenced the expansion of the Kisumu International Airport in readiness for the 9th edition of the Africities Conference in May, 2022.
The expansion work is expected to see the airport double its current capacity upon completion. It is scheduled to be ready for operation in the next 90 days.
KAA Managing Director, Alex Gitari, said on Friday that all necessary preparations have been put in place to ensure construction runs without hitches.
“We have identified a serious contractor who gave us an assurance that the new airport will be ready ahead of the summit,” said Gitari.
The airport has been handling domestic flights for airlines such as Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Fly540, Air Renegade Air Kenya, Safarilink Aviation and 748 Airline.
Over time, however, the facility has continued to witness an increase in passenger traffic, recording 500,000 new passengers annually.
Kisumu Airport Authority manager Selina Gor said: “Due to an increased number of passengers, there has been a need to expand the airport to comfortably accommodate its users.”
The construction will be undertaken by China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation for Ksh240 million.
Gitari who was speaking during the groundbreaking event said the airport will undergo a major upgrade including construction of a mezzanine floor in the passenger terminal to increase its capacity.
“We will also extend the existing passenger terminal building to provide an additional boarding gate area and arrivals hall and a landslide vehicle grade parking,” said Gitari.