By CONRAD ONYANGO
The government has revealed it will start re-cartegorisation of Kenya civil Aviation authority starting August.
The move is meant to ensure safety of passengers, while conforming to the international Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The restructuring will also enable the airport attract and retain qualified technical staff as the first step towards attaining the hyped category one status.
Minister for Transport, Amos Kimunya said plans are underway to break ground in the beginning of August this year.
“The Government has looked at the regulatory side of Aviation Industry and approved the re-cartegorisation and restructuring of the Authority,” said Kimunya.
The minister who spoke to journalists when British Airways launched re-furbishment of its lounge, said the government will be seeking for assistance from the US department of transport to help fast track the project.
But poor supervision of the civil aviation authority has been a major obstacle towards the realisation of category one status. Kenya Airports Authority MD, Stephen Gichuki said the poor working conditions for workers coupled with poor remunerations lowered staff morale, a reason the Authority has failed to achieve category one status.
The restructuring will complement the ongoing expansion at JKIA that is aimed at face lifting the status of airlines in the country. The restructuring is expected to be completed in 2015.
Unit 4 and parking garage of the airport will hold 1,500 vehicles after its completion latter in 2012. over the next three years the airport expects to process 10 million passengers and 37 million passengers in 2030.
Kimunya also called on countries to withdraw travel advisories they had issued to citizens assuring both local and international passengers of security in the country.
The newly refurbished British Airways lounge is part of the airline’s 5 billion investment projects, set to be complete in the next five years.
Head of Customers service and operations for the airline, Denize Mc Gregor said the new lounge will offer passengers comfort and improved experience.
But Mc. Gregor is hopeful the airline will defy the anticipated elections uncertainities to record growth as it continue carry out its operations.
“We anticipate uncertainties but we promise to stay committed to providing our customers services. British Airways has a record of offering services to its customers even in tough times,” said Mc. Gregor.
