The Eldoret International Airport is in Kenya set for an upgrade. Kenya’s Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the report and said the National government plans to extend the airport.
The upgrade project will involve runway extension by 500 meters. The apron will be expanded by 12,800 square meters. It will require a total of 15 hectares for the runway extension while development of hanger facilities and the apron on the other hand will require 19.74 hectares.
Cargo aircraft
KAA, which manages all airports in the East African country, will also rehabilitate the airports’ airfield ground lighting (AGL). Furthermore, it will relocate the Instrument Landing System (ILS) localizer. Noteworthy, ILS is a precision runway approach aid utilizing two radio beams to give pilots vertical and horizontal guidance during landing. The authority will also provide taxiway and runway shoulders for safety.
The airport which opened 24 years ago currently handles Emirates and Ethiopian airlines. Reportedly, both airlines operate wide-bodied cargo aircraft such as the B777 from the Middle East. It is easy for the wide-bodied aircraft to land on the 3.5km long and 45 meters wide Eldoret International Airport runway. However, according to Kenya’s Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, take-off has been a challenge.
The CS explained that upon completion of the proposed project the airport is expected to handle even bigger aircraft. Such aircraft include the B747F. Consequently, farm produce will be exported directly from the Eldoret International Airport. This is opposed to transporting it by road so that it can be picked up at JKIA.