Isiolo airport idle for lack of business
Business
By
Moses Njagih
| Apr 25, 2018
ISIOLO, KENYA: Business is yet to pick up at Isiolo National Airport almost a year since it was commissioned.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Chief Executive Officer Jonny Andersen told a parliamentary committee that so far, only Fly Sax, a private chartered airline, operates at the new airport.
Mr Andersen said the airline made only four trips from Nairobi to Isiolo per week.
“We need to market Isiolo for traffic at the airport to increase. Airlines need to see demand for the traffic to increase. One way to create this demand is to have the agricultural produce from Meru moved through this airport,” said Andersen when he appeared before the National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity Committee.
The CEO challenged political stakeholders from the region to help market the airport while exuding confidence that the airport would attract business once the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor, which will pass through Isiolo, becomes operational.
READ MORE
Creative economy key to job creation, says PS Fikirini Jacobs
Beyond the Silicon Savannah: Why Africa's AI revolution must start 'mashinani'
Airtel takes on Safaricom with Sh5.6b data centre
Lokichar-Lamu crude pipeline plan still on, says Treasury
Employers warn of rising costs, urge Ruto to protect jobs
British Airways parent says Mideast war to hit annual profits
Mpesa drives growth as Safaricom hits record Sh99.7b profit
Kenya to spend nearly half of budget on debt servicing
KDC roots for creative economy, innovation and youth-led enterprise growth
“Isiolo is such a crucial town for this country. It is the centre of the country and with the Lapsset coming, then it is only a matter of time before the airport becomes busy. Lapsset will improve the fortunes of the airport, but for now it requires some marketing,” said Andersen.
Committee chairman Maina Kamanda (nominated) said Meru miraa farmers should consider transporting their produce through the airport.
“The miraa trade is one opportunity that can give this airport relevance. The miraa transported to Nairobi by road and then flown out of the country can easily be flown out from Isiolo,” said Mr Kamanda.
Andersen had been invited by the committee to respond to complaints by MPs from Isiolo who accused KAA of failing to consider local residents for employment at the airport.
But the KAA management said it was yet to hire personnel, and had only transferred 22 employees to offer crucial services.