Repairs on the new Isiolo International Airport are near completion and may start operations soon.
Transport Principal Secretary Prof. Paul Maringa said that repair work on the 1.4 km runway is expected to be completed in less than two weeks.
The PS made the remarks yesterday during the final inspection visit at the facility to ascertain that the project is satisfactory before embarking on normal airport operations.
Prof. Maringa was accompanied by Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) CEO Johny Andersen and Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya.
According to the PS, the Sh. 2.7 billion facility is expected to handle 350,000 passengers annually.
He gave the facility consent to commence services with domestic flights.
He added that the project has reached a level where it can start operations as even the modern state of the art terminal building, access roads, administration block, runway and aircraft parking apron are up to international standard.
“The contractor is doing minor remedial works on the runway to provide effective drainage channels,” said Maringa.
A number of airlines including Jambo Jet, Kenya Airways, Air Kenya and Fly 540 have expressed will to carry out business at the Airport.
The airport sits on a 260 hectare and has a 4,500 square meters passenger terminal building being one of the key Vision 2030 flagship projects for Isiolo County.
The KAA managing director said seven counties including Isiolo, Meru, Marsabit among others will benefit from the facility in terms of export of Miraa, animal products and tourism.
Mr. Andersen said the facility will be handling International flights but expected gradual development of other air carriers.
He said that a return ticket to Nairobi from Isiolo could cost less than Nairobi – Mombasa adding that the cost of a ticket will be defined by the interested airlines.