Kenya to partially close capital airport runway for rehabilitation

Kenyan authorities on Thursday announced plans to partially close the runway at the main airport in Nairobi during off-peak for rehabilitation as part of the ongoing expansion and modernization work at the facility.

The 12-month-long work at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will involve rehabilitation of the taxiways and apron, according to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).

Francis Ngigi, KAA's lead engineer in charge of restoration projects, said the planned work, set to begin in April, would increase pavement life and enhance operational safety at JKIA by resurfacing runway and repairing pavements on the taxiways and apron.

"We also aim to increase the runway capacity by building rapid exit taxiways and extension of parallel taxiway to the end of the runway," Ngigi said in a statement.

"We will also upgrade instrument landing system from International Civil Aviation Organization category I to Category II by enhancement of Airfield Ground Lighting, which will include introduction of centerline lighting on the runway. This will strengthen the operations in bad weather and therefore avoid diversions," Ngigi added.

Ngigi said a contractor has already been commissioned, adding that for the duration of the project, the runway will be closed between midnight and 6:00 a.m every day.

KAA Managing Director Lucy Mbugua said discussions have been held with all airlines operating in JKIA and measures put in place.

The International Air Transport Association has been notified and has promulgated this information internationally, he said.

The runway, which is made of tarmac, was constructed in 1978 and was last resurfaced in 1992. Normally tarmac has a recommended life of 15 years and the runway is therefore due for resurfacing.

The JKIA runway is 4117 meters long and 45 meters wide, with 15 meters paved shoulders, making it a code E runway that can handle wide body aircraft, including the Boeing B747. Endi