Transport

JKIA opens public car park after upgrade

jkia car park

The car park building that was converted into a terminal at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairob. file photo | nmg

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport car garage has opened to the public in what is expected to ease congestion and boost revenues.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) had in 2013 converted the car parking garage into a temporary arrivals section after a fire destroyed Terminal 1.

Security features at the garage have been fixed and works at arrival terminals 1A and IE now completed.

“Kenya Airports Authority is pleased to announce that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport car parking garage is now officially open to the public. The facility is able to handle 1,300 additional parking spaces,” said KAA in a statement.

Cars using the garage will be charged Sh100 on average, depending on the duration they are parked at the facility.

Installation of CCTV cameras at the garage was one of the security measures implemented by KAA ahead of auditing by  American Authorities for direct flights to the US.

The JKIA was in February given Category One status following several audit processes by the US’ Federal Aviation Administration. The status is awarded based on proven capabilities of a country’s civil aviation authority that it has the laws and oversight processes in place to assure safe operations.

That determination is made on the basis of a country’s compliance with safety standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a UN agency.

Earlier, Kenya had failed to meet a number of conditions, delaying commencement of flights in August last year.

Major upgrades have been made at the JKIA since its international terminal was destroyed in a fire four years ago.

Operating direct flights between Kenya and the US is expected to cut by half freight costs in what could have a ripple effect on economic growth. Kenya exports mostly horticultural products to the US.

Kenya contributes more than 35 per cent share to the global flower trade that continues to grow despite stiff competition from Ecuador, Ethiopia and Colombia.