May 2010 covers_Covers.qxd - World Airnews

Ksh 9,7-BILLION
PHASE II
EXPANSION OF
JKIA HAS
STARTED
From Kauli Mwembe in Nairobi
KENYA AIRPORTS Authority (KAA)
has started work on the second
phase of the Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport expansion following the
securing of a Ksh9,7-billion loan from the
French Development Agency.
According to outgoing KAA managing
director, George Muhoho, construction
began recently.
Muhoho made the announcement during
the visit of French Trade Minister, Ms
Anne-Marie Idra, who announced that
Paris would offer technical expertise on
the JKIA expansion. She told reporters in
Nairobi that France would channel its aid
to Kenya through a French agency, AFD.
Muhoho, whose second term at the
KAA was scheduled to end at last month,
said he was proud of the achievements
the authority had made during his tenure
in office.
“In 2003, JKIA was ranked as the third
largest cargo hub but it has since overtaken
Egypt and South Africa and is now
the largest cargo hub in Africa,” Muhoho
said. He added that he would not be seeking
another term at KAA and also dispelled
speculation that he would be
joining active politics.
Work on phase two follows completion
of the first phase, which involved construction
of the airport’s apron and other
civil works. When work is completed in
December 2013, the airport will increase
its passenger handling capacity from 2,5to
9,3-million passengers per annum.
Parking space for passenger aircraft will
be increased from 23 to 37, and slots for
cargo aircraft from three to eight.
Currently, JKIA has five cargo facilities with
a capacity to handle 200 000 tonnes of
cargo annually, and an animal holding
facility, which occupies 401 square
metres.
The final phase of expansion work at
30 WORLD AIRNEWS, MAY 2010.
SECOND TIME LUCKY FOR RAPTOR?
PROVIDED THE weather does not intervene
again, it should be a case of “second
time lucky” for one of the world’s newest
and most exciting jet fighters when the
F-22 Raptor makes a return to the
Cotswolds this summer – two years after
its planned UK debut was rained out.
JKIA will involve rehabilitation of terminals
one, two and three as well as the arrival
building.
JKIA is one of the largest airports in East
and Central Africa, served by 49 scheduled
airlines and direct flight connections
to Europe, the Middle East, Far East and
other African countries. Although expansion
work began three years ago, the project,
which is meant to address capacity
and other operational constraints, has
been painfully slow.
Work on the completed phase one was
undertaken by China Wu Yi, a Chinese company,
at a cost of Ksh2,6-billion. It involved
construction of a new apron, taxiways and
an extended fuel hydrant system associated
with the proposed Unit 4 terminal building.
The new apron (remote parking) is already
in use and the whole apron can now be
used for aircraft parking.
An estimated 34 airlines with over 120
flights use JKIA daily, making it the largest
aviation facility in the country. Other
airports run by KAA include Wilson,
Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Malindi,
Lokichogio, Wajir, Manda and Ukunda. Q
Now the aircraft, from the US Air
Combat Command, will be returning to
the Royal International Air Tattoo on July
17 and 18 to demonstrate why it is
capable of outperforming any existing
fighter aircraft in air-to-air combat.
The Raptor represents a new generation
of fighter aircraft incorporating state-ofthe-art
stealth technology, sophisticated
weaponry and vectored thrust giving it an
unrivalled combination of secrecy, power
and manoeuvrability.
RIAT deputy director of air operations,
Robert Windsor, said: “The Raptor is one
of the jewels in the crown of military aviation
and its display in July will be among
the highlights of the seven-and-a-halfhour
flying display. I recall that the pilot
and his ground crew were tremendously
friendly and professional throughout their
stay with us – despite their obvious disappointment.”
The Air Tattoo, which is held in support
of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, is
the world’s largest military air show and
attracts around 300 aircraft from across
the globe.
This summer’s event will stage special
tributes marking the 70 th Anniversary of
the Battle of Britain.
In addition to the flying display, visitors
can enjoy a large static aircraft park plus
a wide range of ground-based activities
including a concert stage, fairground
rides, and the interactive Tri@RIAT area
for youngsters. Q