Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has invited companies to tender for the construction of JKIA’s second runway. According to KAA, the procurement of civil works will take place under open competitive bidding.
The project, which was first planned in 2013, involves the construction of 4.8 kilometres long and 75 metres wide runway in accordance with category two guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The current single runway operates at Category Flights Conditions Level 1 (CAT-1) and it is 4.1 kilometres long and 45 meters wide.
The construction of the runway will also include connecting taxiways, parking stands for planes, and an air rescue firefighting unit. African Development Bank (AfDB) is in part funding the project. AfDB approved a loan of $160 million last November out of the estimated $365.5 million.
The project will enhance air transport at JKIA by cutting down on delays at busy hours and costly flight diversions. Additionally, the project will involve the reconfiguration of the current single runway that reduces the efficiency of the airport.
“The project will reduce mishaps on the path as it will nearly double the aircraft movement from 25 to 45 planes per hour. Moreover, the technology will enable operations in bad weather, thus avoiding diversion of aircraft,” Jonny Andersen, KAA Chief Executive Officer said.
KAA said the second runway will elevate JKIA to world-class standards and enable it to cater for new generation aircrafts such as Airbus A380 and BoeingB747-800 which have extra widebodies.
