Wilson airport faces closure

• Aviation regulator says airport has failed to meet international safety standards

A city airport may shut down soon for failing to meet international aviation standards.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority on Thursday conceded that the airport could be closed in the next two months when an ultimatum to improve its safety rating expires.

In October last year, the authority gave the Kenya Airports Authority a year to improve the airport or have its licence withdrawn.

And on Thursday, the aviation regulator held a meeting with Wilson Airport Aircraft Operators and representatives of KAA at which it was noted that nothing had been done.

A source quoted Mrs Truphosa Chocho, the manager in charge of air navigation services, aerodromes, meteorology and enforcement, as saying KCAA was concerned about the human encroachment on the airport. “KCAA has not approved any of the illegal structures,” Mrs Chocho is said to have told the meeting.

She said KCAA could do little since some senior former and current officers in the aviation industry, including a Cabinet minister were behind the illegal allocations.

The source also said the manager had a difficult time responding to questions from Wilson Airport Aircraft Operators Committee who sought to know why the watchdog was not stopping the ongoing construction work.

Lack of director

Mrs Chocho is said to have told the meeting that the authority was toothless and could not bring down the structures.

She cited the current lack of a director for the problem.

Mr Nicholas Bodo replaced Mr Chris Kuto, who was retired, in an acting capacity at the helm of the authority.

But the aircraft operators claimed KCAA and KAA had the authority to bring down the structures as stipulated by aviation regulations.

Wilson is one of the busiest light aircraft airports in Africa.