The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global travel significantly. Images of deserted airport terminals with the occasional traveler and grounded planes are still vivid in people’s minds. However, as vaccines become more widely available and travel restrictions are eased, aviation is gradually regaining a sense of normalcy.
In Kenya, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) registered an appreciable recovery in air traffic movements at the close of the year 2020/2021.
Aircraft movements also performed well, recovering to about 73% of the 2019/2020 level. For passenger traffic, the recovery was at a lower level of 49.5% over the same period, mainly on account of the slow growth of transit passengers as the global economy continued to be devastated by the pandemic. In particular, COVID-19 variants continued to present major challenges in certain major destination markets such as India, some countries in Europe and the Far East.
In the domestic market, shut down of some counties for some time during the year also affected the rate of recovery of air movements and more so for airports that depended to a large extent on Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Despite this situation, aviation projects that had been planned earlier by the KAA are continuing.
In recent years, the Authority has undertaken numerous improvements at various airports around the country to improve passenger experience at the various facilities.
In the Coastal region, KAA is in the process of rehabilitating the airfield ground lighting system and aircraft pavement in Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Plans are also underway to expand Malindi, Ukunda and Lamu Airstrips to enable them handle larger aircraft.
In the Northern region, KAA is currently rehabilitating Nanyuki and Isiolo Airports to accommodate larger and cargo flights.
In the West, KAA is constructing new runways in Kitale and Migori Airstrips. The Kakamega Airstrip is also being upgraded to accommodate Code 1C Aircraft.
At the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the country’s main international airport and a regional aviation hub, the projects include refurbishment of Terminals 1B and C.
The scope of this project by KAA technical personnel comprises the following:
- Level ‘0’ works that consist of the creation of a central screening to serve both Terminals 1B and 1C.
- Level ‘1’ works consisting of:
- Spatial re-organization of retail spaces to increase process efficiency through Pin Ball/open-plan retail design concept.
- Re-design of departure lounges to adopt open gates concept
- Standardization of shop design and branding to ensure uniformity
The works will be complete by the end of this year. The designer’s brief was to bring out a sustainable design that incorporates modern technology and general airport ambience without losing the local look and feel.
KAA says once the new look terminals are opened, the following outcomes are expected:
- Improved passenger experience in the airport from processes, better navigation, great airport ambience and an overall enhanced customer retail experience.
- Stimulating retail experience and unique product offer to encourage the passenger to spend
- Diversified mix of products/services available to appeal to a larger portion of customers.
The works are currently at 45% and expected to be completed by December 2021.This first phase only included departures. The next phase will see similar facelift to arrivals.
Prior to the new works at JKIA, the KAA completed a brand new terminal (1A) which increased passenger capacity and improved passenger comfort. “We saw JKIA receive most improved Airport Award from ACI,” says the Authority. “The survey is completed by our customers and showed the expansion had a positive impact.”
