Improved Wajir airport to unleash business potential

Wednesday November 16, 2016

Wajir International Airport. PHOTO | BRUHAN MAKONG | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Cargo and passenger volumes at the Wajir International Airport are expected to spike following an increase in number of airlines operating in the airport.

Wajir International Airport Manager Charles Kionga said the facility is contributing immensely towards the economy of the country.

A visit by the Nation team revealed the airport is a beehive of activities with arrivals and departures of passengers to and fro various destinations.

“Wajir airport is the third largest and busiest in terms of passenger and aircraft movement. In the financial year 2015/2016, the airport had 15,000 aircraft movements and 123,000 passengers using the airport," said Mr Kionga.

Mr Kionga added that they expect the number of passenger movement to increase to 125,000 in the 2016/2017 financial year,” said Mr Kionga.

Located four kilometres from Wajir town and about 100 kilometres from Gerille border point with Somalia, the airport was established primarily for military activities.

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It was commissioned in September 7, 2007 and was initially meant to act as a control point for commercial flights from Somalia for security reasons.

LOCAL FLIGHTS

“In 2007 we did not have any local flights. But in 2008, we had our first local flight which made flights once per week. Since then, local air operators began showing interest in the airport,” said Mr Kionga.

Airlines operating in the airport include Sax Company, Freedom Airline and Skyward Express, Dubai African Express and Juba Airways.

At the moment, no local products are being transported through the airport. But construction of an abattoir for meat exportation to United Arab Emirates and other Middle East countries is complete.

“They intend to use cargo flights from this airport to carry out this business. We expect growth in revenue from cargo flights, pack houses for meat export and cargo transit sheds,” Mr Kionga said.

The airport has had an impacted on the lives of the locals and non-locals by providing jobs.

Air ticketing agencies have also been established in Wajir town which have created employment to locals.

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