The National government has plans to extend and upgrade the Eldoret International Airport runway and apron. This was revealed recently by Kenya’s Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
The CS explained that the runway will be extended by 500 meters while the apron will be expanded by 12,800 square meters. The cost of the project, which will be carried out by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is yet to be determined.
However, Murkomen said that it will require a total of 15 hectares for the runway extension. The development of hanger facilities and the apron on the other hand will require 19.74 hectares.
Works accompanying the airport’s runway and apron upgrades
In addition to the extension and upgrade of the airport’s runway and apron, KAA, which manages all airports in the East African country, will also rehabilitate the airports’ airfield ground lighting (AGL).
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Furthermore, it will relocate the Instrument Landing System (ILS) localizer. Noteworthy, ILS is a precision runway approach aid utilizing two radio beams to give pilots vertical and horizontal guidance during landing.
The authority will also provide taxiway and runway shoulders for safety.
Expectations for the Eldoret International Airport runway and apron extension and upgrade project
The Eldoret International Airport opened approximately 24 years ago. It currently handles Emirates and Ethiopian airlines. Reportedly, both airlines operate wide-bodied cargo aircraft such as the B777 from the Middle East.
It is easy for the wide-bodied aircraft to land on the 3.5km long and 45 meters wide Eldoret International Airport runway. However, according to Kenya’s Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, take-off has been a challenge.
The CS explained that upon completion of the proposed project the airport is expected to handle even bigger aircraft. Such aircraft include the B747F. Consequently, farm produce will be exported directly from the Eldoret International Airport. This is opposed to transporting it by road so that it can be picked up at JKIA.
