Uhuru to officially open Isiolo International Airport
Isiolo International Airport, which was upgraded for Sh2.7 billion and which is on the border of Meru and Isiolo counties. President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opens it on January 20, 2017. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The president is in his second day of his voter registration mobilisation campaign.
- The airport has a 1.4 kilometre runway that is to be extended to three kilometres before cargo flights and bigger planes can start landing.
- Manager Mohamed Lippi said the airfield is ready to handle four airlines in its initial stages.
- Mr Lippi said they expect its operations to begin on January 23 once all arrangements have been finalised.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is Friday set to officially open Isiolo International Airport, paving the way for domestic flights this month.
The president is in his second day of his voter registration mobilisation campaign that will take him to Modogashe and Garbatulla in Isiolo County.
The Sh2.7 billion airport that straddles Meru and Isiolo counties has the capacity to handle more than 100,000 passengers annually.
It has about 12 concessional shops, restaurant, banking and forex bureau space, and a taxi parking lot with a capacity of 200 cars.
The airport has a 1.4 kilometre runway that is to be extended to three kilometres before cargo flights and bigger planes can start landing.
Its apron has a capacity for seven aircraft.
The airport’s manager Mohamed Lippi said the airfield is ready to handle four airlines in its initial stages.
Mr Lippi said they expect its operations to begin on January 23 once all arrangements have been finalised.
“The airport will be a game changer in this region’s economy.
“It is projected to [generate] about Sh140 million in revenue annually when we start operations.
“The livestock, fresh produce and tourism sectors will benefit from the facility,” Mr Lippi said.
He said Fly 540, Air Kenya and FlySax are some of the airlines that have expressed interest in starting operations at the airport.
Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya said all security measures have been finalised to pave way for its operations.
He said water supply, provision of electricity, installation of CCTV cameras, a patrol vehicle and a fire engine are ready while the construction of a three-kilometre feeder road to the airport is in the final stages.
