Economy

Safety fears as Mandera airstrip records go missing

macharia

Transport secretary James Macharia. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The government does not know the capacity of the Mandera Town Military airstrip, Transport secretary James Macharia has said, calling to question the safety of aircraft using the runway.

Mr Macharia told Parliament there were no records available to show the design pavement classification number (PCN) for the airstrip.

The PCN is an International Civil Aviation Organisation standard used in combination with the aircraft classification number to indicate the strength of a runway, taxiway or airport apron (or ramp).

“Investigations will be concluded to establish the PCN for the runway, thereafter operations will be advised on the appropriate aircraft able to safely use the runway,” Mr Macharia old the National Assembly Transport committee.

The revelations follow concerns that the flights utilise the whole runway during takeoff and landing, leaving inadequate clearway and stop-way in the event of emergencies and aborted take-offs.