Malindi international airport will now operate till 12 am, a shift from the current schedule. The international airport will run from 5 am to midnight each day. The move follows several complaints criticizing the airport’s narrow working schedule despite its international status.
Mohamed Karama, the Airport manager, said that extended operating time will allow airlines to operate at night and therefore increase the number of flights to the coastal town. He added that Kenya Airways has capitalized on the extended working hours to include early morning and late-night flights. The national carrier has a flight that takes off from the airport at 5 am and another which lands at 12 am daily.
The airport manager discussed other issues affecting the airport. Mr. Karama addressed concerns about the size of runway at the airport. He said that the current runway can accommodate large aircrafts.
In 2018, the Malindi International Airport underwent expansion to allow international flights from Europe to land at the facility. At the moment, large planes are able to land and take off from the coastal hub.
The airport manager clarified that the big aircrafts headed to Europe have to refuel at Mombasa’s Moi International Airport because they cannot takeoff with fueled tanks from the Malindi air hub.
The airport still needs a buffer zone on its western side. Mr. Karama requested for help from the county government to secure a buffer zone between the neighboring Kisumu Ndogo location and the airport.
The construction of buildings close to the airport’s fence poses a security risk since the airport needs a 30 meters-big buffer zone. Currently, some buildings are as close as 3 meters from the facility’s fence.
