Loan agreed for expansion of Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a USD 160 million loan to carry out the expansion of Nairobi’s ‘Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’. The funds are expected to help towards the Government of Kenya’s plans to make Nairobi an aviation hub. As part of the expansion, a 4,900-m runway will be built in accordance with ICAO Category II standards. The existing runway is currently operating under CAT-I conditions with a width of 45 m and a length of 4,100 m. Connecting taxiways, additional parking stands for aircraft, and an air rescue firefighting unit will also be constructed. AfDB Infrastructure Cities & Urban Development Director Amadou Oumarou said: “The second runway will support more air traffic, facilitate increased tourism and business travel, and expedite a two-way cargo traffic.” The expansion project is part of the JKIA 2010 Master Plan. Following its completion, the movement of air transport to and from JKIA is expected to be eased at peak hours. Expensive flight diversions arising from incidences on the existing runway are also anticipated to be eliminated. In addition, the expansion will help improve regional integration and expand international trade through improved regional and international air connectivity, as well as facilitate exports and imports. It is also expected to enable direct intercontinental flights to North America and Australia. The expansion is estimated to increase tourism and business travel annually by 4.2% and annual two-way cargo traffic by 5.1% between 2026 and 2052. #1079.6