Company plans to launch flights from Homa Bay

Five Forty Aviation Corporate Affairs Director Nixon Ooko with Homa Bay Roads Executive Eliud Otieno. [Photo: JAMES OMORO/STANDARD]

HOMA BAY: Air transport is expected to improve in South Nyanza as an aviation company plans to introduce flights in the area.

Five Forty Aviation (FFA) Ltd planes will use Kabunde airstrip in Homa Bay Town constituency once its renovation is completed.

FFA showcased a plane that will be used for inaugural flights at Kabunde yesterday in a ceremony presided over by Homa Bay Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata, County Roads Executive Eliud Otieno and Roads Chief Officer Chris Agong’.

FFA Corporate and Industry Affairs Director Nixon Ooko said the plane has a carrying capacity of 37 passengers. “We are going to start with a 37-passenger flight but we will increase the number when demand rises. The flights will be three times in a week,” said Ooko.

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) civil engineer in charge of airstrips Julius Wagai said construction of the airstrip was 80 per cent complete.

“The works remaining include completion of the 1.4-kilometre runway,” said Wagai.

Orata said the county government will co-operate with KAA to ensure the renovation is completed on time to allow for the commencement of flights.

“This is a project we highly value as a government and we are going to do everything possible to ensure requisite activities in arrears are done with speed to enable our people enjoy flights,” Orata said.

He said the county and national governments will ensure security is enhanced at the airstrip.

Otieno said the airstrip will begin operations after final inspection by KAA and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority on January 27.

Otieno said they airstrip will open up South Nyanza region for business activities.

“Kabunde airstrip will serve parts of the Rift Valley region including Transmara, Kericho and many parts of South Nyanza region including Kisii and Nyamira counties,” Otieno said.

He said the flights are also expected to boost hospitality services in the county.

“Research has shown that 60 per cent of those who take flights in Kisumu come from this region. I believe this is going to be a sigh of relief to our people,” he said.