KQ in Talks With Nation for Extra Space

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Lola Okulo

30 April 2011

KENYA Airways is in talks with Tanzania to secure additional parking space for its increased fleet in case the ongoing expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is delayed.

JKIA is currently undergoing phase two of the renovation and construction project aimed at modernising and expanding it’s passenger and flight capacity. The project is scheduled for completion by end 2012. “It is quite critical for us that by 2013 we have additional parking space……we need the airport to open up as we have 30 planes now and will have over 60 in the next four years and it will curtail our plans,” commented KQ Chief Executive Titus Naikuni.

KQ has placed an order for nine 787 dreamliner planes which are bigger, spacious and fuel efficient. The first delivery is expected to be made in 2013. “We know that we need to dedicate a terminal to Kenya Airways and its partners within the expanded airport because no airport can thrive without an anchor aviator,” noted Transport Minister Amos Kimunya.

Once phase two is complete, JKIA will have a capacity to handle nine million passengers annually. At present it has a capacity of two million though according to the government this is sometimes stretched to six million when business is thriving.

Phase two entails also the creation of a terminal 4 passenger unit, more passenger lounges and a multi storeyed parking facility to address the shortage of car parking space currently facing JKIA. KQ’s business plan is to first connect Africa’s key cities to achieve market position as the region’s key airline.

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