Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director Lucy Mbugua says the new screening yard will consist of 16 lanes from the current two, allowing more vehicles to be screened at each point/MARGARET WAHITO
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director Lucy Mbugua says the new screening yard will consist of 16 lanes from the current two, allowing more vehicles to be screened at each point.
She said those in private vehicles will not have to get out of their cars during the checks hence refine the current security screening process and considerably shorten vehicle-waiting time which is averagely about an hour at the moment.
“Our intention is that we want to sanitise close to 80 percent of the traffic, before they get into the airport. This is because we will use high technology to ensure proper safety as well as save on time,” Mbugua said.
The MD however said those getting to the airport with public vehicles will still take more time as they may required to get out for frisking.
The project is expected to boost security at the Kenya’s largest aviation facility following recent insecurity cases across the country.
“The screening yard is being put up as soon as you turn off from Mombasa road. The earth works are ongoing and as you enter the airport you can see a lot of digging and excavation and we expect to complete by September this year,” she said.
The KAA boss was speaking as she led members of the Vision 2030 Delivery Board on a tour at JKIA to witness the on-going construction works for the new JKIA Terminal Unit 4 and Greenfield Terminal.
On the Greenfield Terminal status, Mbugua disclosed that the project contractor had already commenced detailed design and preliminary excavation works.
The on-going excavation works at the rate of 10,000 cubic metres per day are expected to be completed by end of June to pave way for the building works, which will be undertaken in 36 months.
“The new airport developments and upgrades will help unlock the national economic development programmes in line with Vision 2030 ideals,” Vision 2030 Delivery Board James Mwangi commented.
Meanwhile, the new JKIA Terminal Unit 4 is now on the final stages and is scheduled for use starting July 7 this year.
Once complete, the new Unit will enhance the airport’s capacity to handle the growing volume of passengers from the current six million passengers annually.
Besides JKIA, development and rehabilitation works are currently ongoing at other airports in Mombasa, Kisumu, Malindi and Lamu.
The construction of a new runway at the Nyeri Airstrip is already complete as are other works at the Embu, Lodwar and Kakamega Airstrips. At the Homabay Airstrip, construction works for a new runway, taxiway and apron are ongoing.
