News
Sh3.8bn plan to boost air safety
Posted Monday, December 7 2009 at 22:00
In Summary
- Most of the current radar and other navigational aids to be replaced, says PS
The government has embarked on an ambitious Sh3.8 billion plan to improve traffic management and safety of the Kenyan airspace.
This is part of the 15-year Airspace Master Plan currently being implemented by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). It includes replacement of most of the current radar and other navigational aids with more modern equipment.
Transport permanent secretary Cyrus Njiru said the project is part of long term investment to expand and modernise the country’s airports to meet the growing passenger and cargo needs in the region.
To make Kenya one of the top ten long haul tourist destinations in the world, Dr Njiru said, there was need to develop the aviation sector to international standards and to invest in infrastructure. This would ensure roads, railways and ports meet international standards.
“These new systems are expected to improve traffic management in the country’s airspace and thus improving safety,” he said Monday.
He spoke during celebrations held at the East African School of Aviation in Nairobi to mark this year’s International Civil Aviation Day and whose theme was: “Aviation as catalyst for economic growth”.
Transport sector has been identified as one of the key pillars for realisation of Vision 2030.
News on the airports project comes barely six months after the US government cancelled the inaugural Delta airlines direct flights to Nairobi.
Mr Charles Wako, KCAA chairman, said there was need to continuously improve the country’s airports and air safety standards because Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi and Wilson airports continue to be the preferred points of air travel for over seven million travellers each year.
More than 40 international airlines use the country’s airspace as the principal gateway to America, Europe, the Middle East and Far East.
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Submitted by wiseonePosted December 08, 2009 07:48 PM
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Submitted by Ogallo
Air traffic safety is important but equality important if not more important is road traffic safety. Road traffic safety is more important because it affects the lives and livelihood of more citizens-daily commuters and bus passengers and goods transporters When are we going to allocate such a sum of money for road traffic safety? Such a fete would significantly enhance the safety of Kenyan citizens – the # 1 customer of the government. Dr. Njiru is there a possibility of even restructuring the ministry to give road safety the prominence it deserves?
Posted December 08, 2009 03:15 AM
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Ogallo, you're missing the point. Tourism is Kenya's number one GDP. Not daily commuters or bus passengers. The majority of our revenue comes from tourists. To encourage tourism, we need to show tourists that we take safety seriously. If 9/11 wasn't a wake-up call in terms of air safety and security, I don't know what was. You need to look at the bigger picture. Road safety is all very well, but throwing money at it is not the answer. Driver education and tougher penalties are.