Kenya: JKIA expands capacity for exports

The construction of a new transit shed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is ongoing in a plan aimed at expanding the facility’s cargo handling capacity by more than 10 per cent.

The expansion will take the number of transit sheds to six. The move has been triggered by the rising air cargo competition from Ethiopia and South Africa, as well as the rise in exports, especially horticulture.

In a bid to handle the increased tonnage of horticulture, which is one of the country’s major exports, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is enhancing its exit and import handling capacity by 10,000 sqm.

Currently, the handling capacity at the airport is a million tonnes annually. This is expected to rise by 150,000 tonnes a year once the new transit shed is completed.

The Mitchel Cotts transit shed will include cold rooms, used for the preservation of flowers and vegetables, an export area to receive and prepare cargo for loading aboard an aeroplane, an import area and a dry cargo area.

Read more at Business Daily (Queen Munguti)