Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has begun a Sh240 million expansion of Kisumu International Airport (KIA).
KAA Managing Director Alex Gitari told the press at the airport yesterday that the move is intended to tap increased domestic and global business, corporate, VIP travel, and tourism niches.
“Out of 126 domestic destinations from Wilson Airport, Kisumu registered eight per cent of passenger movement,” said Gitari.
The project has been assigned to a contractor and is expected to complete it within 90 days of the 9th Africities conference, which will be held in Kisumu from May 17 to 23, 2022.
Despite the Covid-19 setback, domestic air travel increased by 200 percent, according to KAA data in its 2020/21 report.
Direct flights to Kisumu have piqued the interest of international airlines such as Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.
In addition, Fly Safarilink has announced the reintroduction of a midday flight to Kisumu.
“We will also extend the existing passenger terminal building to provide an additional boarding gate area and arrivals hall and a landslide vehicle grade parking,” said Gitari.
The airport will be able to compete in the region and globally as a result of the upgrade.
Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Fly540, Air Renegade Air Kenya, Safarilink Aviation, and 748 Airline have all used the airport for domestic flights.
