How encroachment threatens Wilson Airport operations

 

Wilson Airport, Nairobi, on May 12, 2022. [File, Standard]

The woes surrounding Wilson Airport, one of East Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, continue to deepen as the growing, unchecked encroachment now threatens its safety and operations, the aviation regulator has warned. 

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General, Emile N. Arao said residential and commercial developments around the airport are increasingly interfering with flight paths, wind flow, and critical landing procedures.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Roads, Transport and Housing, he revealed that KCAA has flagged as potential hazards at least 40 buildings obstructing flight paths for both take-off and landing.

“Some buildings have gone beyond the limits. There are specific issues with encroachment, and in some cases, approvals were issued, but developers casually exceeded the agreed thresholds,” he said. 

“Expansion becomes jeopardised because someone is claiming ownership of land that is critical for aviation safety zones,” Mr Arao added. “These are legal issues, but they now directly affect the airport’s future.”

Runway 14/32, — critical to Wilson’s operations — has been particularly affected, with pilots forced to adjust approach and departure techniques due to altered wind patterns and visual obstructions. 

Of particular concern to the regulator are the high-rise constructions coming up in Nairobi’s South C estate that pose a potential risk to take off. 

“When a pilot is coming in to land on Runway 07, they expect a headwind. Any disruption to that natural flow compromises safety,” said KCAA, citing instances when pilots had raised concerns. 

“Okays were being given by the county for the construction of the Ulinzi complex, but pilots complained that it affected the flow of the wind,” said the DG. 

At the same time, he also raised concerns about the Southern Bypass, with trucks distracting the concentration of landing pilots.  

"They have landing cues. They have to keep watch of the moving trucks while maintaining a view of the runway," he noted.

It also emerged that there is inadequate CCTV camera installation at the facility to enhance security, with plans to install comprehensive CCTV surveillance remaining incomplete, with only the first phase implemented.

However, the facility is currently expanding a runway at Sh1.2 billion in a contract which the lawmakers questioned. 

"We have been told that it is going to take about 18 months. Already six months have gone and only about 10 to 15 per cent has been done. If you look at the timeline of that kind of contract, we should be at around 30 per cent," said Senator Oketch. 

"The issue of regulations around safeguards in the airport is also important because safety is not just about when the planes are landing and taking off. Safety also includes evacuations when a major accident like what happened last week happens," he added. 

This leader's visit to the facility stems from a recent accident that also involved Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who expressed disappointment with the services at the airport. 

"We got out of the plan through emergency. A few people were injured because of the scramble, as everyone was running away from the plane. We were in that field for about 30 minutes without any emergency response. Only the fire engine came 30 mins later," he explained. 

KCAA said the accident investigation department will give a preliminary report in 30 days. "A comprehensive report will depend on when the black box is taken to a state that has facilities to download the data." 

Senator Oketch directed Kenya Airports Authority, KCAA, the Association of airline operators within Wilson Airport and Safari Link management that had chartered the plane, to appear before the house next Thursday. 

"We have learned from that meeting that changed the aircraft that was supposed to come to Wilson on that day within a very short time and we wanted to understand why that is and what the protocols are concerning that kind of change," he said.