Transport

China wins Nairobi airport contract.

21 Sep, 2006

Chinese company China Wu Yi has won the contract to undertake the first phase of the Ksh10 billion expansion programme at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. The ten-month contract, worth Ksh2.6 billion, includes the construction of an apron and taxiways and the extension of the fuel hydrant system among other things. Subsequent phases of the project will see the construction of a multi-storey car park and the expansion of the international terminal in a bid to increase capacity at the airport and consolidate its position as the leading regional hub in East Africa. Built in the early 1970s to handle 2.5 million passengers annually, last year JKIA saw around 4.2 million people arrive or depart. As a result of the upgrading the airport will also earn category 1 status with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, meaning that planes can fly directly to the United States. Work is due to begin shortly.