A budget airline has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Kakamega Airport, citing safety concerns over the deteriorating condition of the runway.
The airline, which typically offers seven weekly flights between Nairobi and Kakamega, charges Ksh7,000 for the 45-minute journey. However, starting Monday, 30th September 2024, all operations to Kakamega will be halted.
The airline’s statement highlighted that the runway no longer meets the safety standards required for continued operations. The single asphalt runway at Kakamega measures 4,200 feet in length and 49 feet in width but has reportedly fallen into disrepair, forcing the airline to take this drastic action.
The notice reads in part, “Temporary Suspension of Flights to and from Kakamega Effective 30th September 2024 We regret to inform you that, effective 30th September 2024, we are temporarily suspending all flight operations to and from Kakamega.”
A plane at a runway at an airstrip.
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The notice further adds, “This decision is due to the deteriorating condition of the runway at the Kakamega Airstrip, which no longer meets our safety standards.”
Kakamega Airport, serving the bustling town of Kakamega in Western Kenya, sits at an elevation of 1,530 metres above sea level.
This suspension presents a major blow to the region’s air travel, as the airport is a crucial gateway for passengers flying between Kakamega and Nairobi. The ongoing issues highlight the critical need for infrastructure improvements.
In 2020, Parliament approved Ksh200 million for the airport’s rehabilitation. Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) experts had flagged the 1.2-kilometre runway for urgent repairs and expansion to two kilometres, allowing it to accommodate larger aircraft.
KAA partnered with the Kakamega County Government, which agreed to acquire surrounding land for the project, while KAA would oversee the upgrades.
Flights have frequently been disrupted due to the runway’s poor state, with operators warning of potential safety risks to passengers and crew.
Last September, a flight at Lamu Airport was delayed for two-and-a-half hours after its wheel became lodged in a pothole on the runway.
Video footage from a passenger showed the poor state of the surface, with rubble breaking away as ground staff struggled to free the aircraft.
Similar concerns now cast a shadow over Kakamega, raising questions about the long-term viability of air travel in the region unless urgent action is taken.
A Plane landing at an airport in Kenya.
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Kenyans.co.ke