Business Daily (Nairobi)
Maureen Ongwae
30 April 2008
The Kisumu Airport has expanded over the years to attract eight airlines up from two three years ago.
This has seen revenues collected at the facility go up by 150 per cent during the period.
Kenya Airways, East African and Eagle Aviation were the first airlines to fly the route but the latter has since stopped.
Others to join of late are Jet Link, Aero Kenya, Executive Turbine, Fly 540, Imatogo Airlines and Lakevik Aviation.
Growth of air transport to the region has led to an increase in revenue at the facility from Sh40 million per year in 2005 to Sh100 million.
"Increase of activities at the airport has impacted positively on the revenue. The figure has increased by 150 per cent," airport manager, Joseph Okumu, said yesterday.
Passenger numbers have gone up from 70,000 in 2005 to 240,000 in 2007. Authorities are upbeat and predict these figures would hit 300,000 yearly upon the completion of the expansion programme, expected to take off soon. The recent launch of flights on the Kisumu-Entebbe route will also boost traffic by attracting international airlines.
Among the reasons that have been mentioned as major boosts for air transport to the western Kenya region include the poor road network. Motorists have resorted to occasional use of the tattered road, fearing the skyrocketing maintenance costs, heavy fuel costs, and lost time.
"Majority of air travellers are avoiding the bad roads connecting western Kenya to Nairobi," added Mr Okumu.
The opening up of the region to the tourism industry has been seen as another reason for the growth of air transport since most tourists connecting to various sites in Nyanza fly. "We even have chartered planes from the airport to various destinations and after the airport expansion, we expect them to be more than the current two in a day," said Mr Okumu.
Among the places the chartered planes operate include Mwanza, Masai Mara, Kakamega National Reserve, Ruma National Park, Rusinga and Mfang'ano islands in Lake Victoria.
The facility supports sectors like hospitality, health, transport and education, stretching it near congestion at the passenger terminal.
"The passenger terminal is so small that we have been forced to put up temporary tents just to make the customers a little more comfortable."
When the Sh2.6 billion upgrade starts, the runway will be one of the parts to be redone, besides renovating most of the old facilities at the airport.
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