US set to rule on direct Kenya flights in March

American aviation authorities will in March rule on whether Kenya can start direct flights to the US.

Transport secretary Michael Kamau on Monday said the Federal Aviation Authority will carry out the final evaluation of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Kenya has been executing recommendations by the US government to enhance security, including separation of passenger arrivals and departures, clearing the flight path and fencing off the airport.

“The final audit is in March this year and we are ready for it,” Mr Kamau said.

“We have been working with the US government. Right now we have a permanent auditor from the US who is sitting with us at the airport reviewing all our processes.”

All airports are required to attain Category One status before they can launch direct flights to the US.

American-based Delta Airlines and Fedex have expressed interest in starting operations to Kenya.

At the moment, flights from Kenya terminate in Europe from where travellers make connecting flights to the US.

Kenya’s push for direct flights to the US has been emboldened by ongoing facility upgrades at JKIA.

READ: Kenya steps up push for direct flights to US

The Kenya Airports Authority has spent Sh7.2 billion on the building of Terminal 1 (previously Terminal 4), a parking garage and other works.

The new terminal is an extension of the existing airport and is expected to handle 2.5 million passengers, easing congestion at East Africa’s main air travel hub.

The government has also invested Sh1.3 billion in new security equipment to be installed by November to enhance airport screening.

Direct flights are expected to boost trade between Kenya and the US, which has increased in recent months.

“It will mean so much for us and trade, especially cargo like flowers that will have a direct route to the US market,” said Mr Kamau,, adding that tourism will also benefit.

Kenya has also witnessed growing interest from American investors, including multinationals such as General Electric and IBM which have set up shop in the country. Kenya also hosts the Unep headquarters and the largest American embassy in Africa.

In 2009, Delta put off a plan to start flights between Atlanta and Nairobi via Senegal after the US government failed to approve the deal at the last minute over security concerns.

Besides security, Mr Kamau said the March audit will look at the emergency preparedness for aircraft in distress, including hospital alertness, passenger screening and aircraft inspections after they land.

“Basically it has to do with air safety; what is our preparedness to handle emergencies? For example, the aircraft that did a belly landing, how did we handle that situation? Were the emergency systems operating?” he said.