By MACHARIA KAMAU
Lokichogio Aiport is headed for rough times following the independence and expected stabilisation of South Sudan.
The airport, which has over the years served as a transit hub for aid agencies to South Sudan, has in the recent past seen significant reduction in the number of passengers as previous users increasingly start using airports in the South Sudan.
The country, which became independent last month following a February vote to break away from Sudan, has also embarked on putting up its own infrastructure including airports.
Diplomats, aid workers and even entrepreneurs flying directly to Juba now spells doom for the airport that is only 24 kilometres away from Kenyan border with South Sudan.
According to a Kenya Airports Authority report, earnings from the airport have been on a continuous decline from 2008.
The airport raked in Sh14 million during the 2010/2011 financial year, which is Sh2 million less than the Sh16.1 million that the airport got during the 2009/2010 financial year.
FINANCIAL YEAR
It had earned Sh19 million during the 2008/2009 year. Other than core aeronautical services offered to airlines, airports also get revenues from other activities and services like renting out shops to businesses.
Passenger movement from the airport has declined by over 73 per cent over the last year to just 12, 316 during the 2010/2011 financial year.
There were 46, 000 passengers that used the airport in 2008 and this has came down to 32, 000 in 2009 and 20, 000 in 2010.
The number of aircrafts using the airport per year have also reduced by almost half from 7, 000 in 2008 to 4, 277 during the 2010/2011 financial year.
