Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). By the time the upgrade is done the state will have to start looking at a further expansion or a totally new airport. Photo/FILE
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The company won the contract in September 2009 at a cost of Sh4 billion
A tender to build the second phase of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in its expansion and modernisation plan has been awarded to China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Company (CATIC).
The China based company was awarded the contract in September 2009 at a cost of Sh4 billion and is expected to begin construction of the new terminal four and a multi storey car park next month to be completed in 21 months.
The project is expected to cost a total of Sh5.4 billion ($73 million).
On Thursday, CATIC presented the management of Kenya Airports Authority, the custodians of airports in the country, the performance bond obtained from Kenya Commercial Bank and the projected work scheduled.
“We got good value for money with this contract. We also hope to have started the third phase by mid next year with the tenders going out early next year,” said Mr George Muhoho, the managing director of Kenya Airways Authority (KAA).
CATIC is a Chinese state owned enterprise that was established in 1980 and is affiliated to China National Aero Technology Import & Export Corporation whose core business is in the aviation sector.
Already KAA has secured all the needed funding to see through the full expansion and modernisation plans for JKIA, which began over three years ago.
“With these funds there is no reason we should not complete the expansion of the airport now,” Muhoho said.
Phase one of the project, which was completed last year, saw the airport increase its aircraft parking space and add two taxiways at a cost of Sh3 billion.
The second phase will see JKIA boast a new terminal and parking space increased with the construction of a three storey car park to accommodate 1,500 cars.
Phase three, expected to cost $95 million (Sh7 billion), will involve the expansion and renovation of current terminals with the construction of another floor that will enable the separation of incoming and outgoing passengers.
However, by the time the upgrade of the airport is done the government will have to immediately start looking at a further expansion or a totally new airport as its expected to reach maximum capacity by 2018.
The new airport upgrade was expected to see the airport handle 10 million passengers by 2024 this was however revised to 2018 following the massive growth of Nairobi as a hub and the expansion of Kenya Airways in the region.
The project is part of the improvement of the Northern Corridor, a major artery for Kenya and its neighbours.
Along with JKIA, Kisumu and Wilson airport are also undergoing various rehabilitation projects.
Currently Kisumu airport is undergoing expansion to make it an international airport with the project expected to be completed by mid next year.
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