Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) in Tanzania is to undergo a US$42mn upgrade that will see rehabilitation and extension of various facilities to cope with increased passenger numbers
A Dutch company BAM International has been awarded the contract that will include refurbishment of the terminal building, construction of new parallel taxiway and its extension.
In the terminal building, configuration will be done to create a central commercial lounge and separate waiting areas for domestic and international passengers.
The construction of a separate roof terrace will increase capacity in the lounge. At the same time, new facilities will be built in security and passport control will be installed to meet international standards.
Drainage and sewage works will also undergo an upgrade that is expected to be completed in mid-2017.
The project will be jointly funded by the Dutch Grant Facility for Infrastructure Development (ORIO), who will contribute US$17mn to the project and the Tanzanian Government will provide the remaining US$25mn.
South African consultants Royal HaskoningDHV and a Tanzania sub-consultant Howard Humphreys have been contracted to oversee the upgrade.
According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport, the airport - second busiest after Dar es Salaam International Airport - has experienced about four per cent in passenger numbers over the last four years.
Passenger traffic has grown from 665,147 in 2012 to more than 690,000 passengers in 2013. The government expects the number to reach one million in 2025.
Tourism is a key factor in future growth as the airport is located near popular destinations, such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.
Mwangi Mumero
