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Kenya Airways (KQ) has raised concern over the delayed completion of a Sh936 million terminal refurbishment project thathas brought  congestion and crippling its smooth operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) amid a surge in air travel.

 The national carrier wants the renovation at terminal 1B and C to be fast-tracked to ease congestion at its departure terminal 1A before the anticipated travel peak often witnessed in the last quarter of the year.Prolonged closure of the two international departure points is impacting customers’ experience during daily peak hours, and could worsen if not addressed as the aviation industry recovers from the Covid-19 turmoil.

Eight months late

Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), which started the repair drive in January 2021, is eight months late, forcing various airlines to share the limited terminals longer than expected.

Some of the airlines that were using terminal 1B and 1C were rerouted to terminal 1A used by KQ and other international airlines like British Airways. This has created inconveniences due to slow processing of passengers.

 “The situation at the airport (JKIA) is very difficult and very embarrassing for Kenya. In the morning and evening hours the airport is severely congested. That impacts the image that people have of Kenya,” says KQ board chair Michael Joseph who blamed “lack of planning” as seemingly the reason behind the delays.

 The 12-month renovation plan at the departure sections of the two terminals was aimed at centralising the security screening features to improve the check-in activity.