Kigali International Airport Expansion
Kigali International Airport is currently undergoing renovations and expansion and this is perceived as important to forestall any bottlenecks in the near future. This job is started in September 2012 by Roko Construction Company. This is according to RCCA (Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority).
According to Tonny Barigye from Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, the number of flights has increased at Kigali International Airport, as well the number of passengers has tripped over the last 10 years, and this automatically calls for rapid expansion of the airport to enable handle the increasing traffic. Barigye added that this project is going to cost over 17 million dollars and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Statistics show that KIA has been handling about 600.000.00 passengers per year. However, after this project is completed, Kigali Airport will be able to handle over 1.600.000.00 passengers per year. The number of flights handled per day will increase (triple) by next year after the project. For instance, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority revealed that, for the last 10 years ago, KIA was handling 100 flights per week, currently they receive 700 flights per week, they number will increase after the project is completed.
This project has created employment opportunities to Rwandans, for example, between 350 and 400 Rwandans are employed, both skilled and non-skilled. Furthermore, more employment opportunities will come up when the project is completed. Mr. Barigye added that Kigali International Airport currently has 8 check-in counters, and they will increase to 16 checks after the work is completed to make passenger queues faster.
Furthermore, passenger amenities such as food and beverage outlets, parking space as well as other shopping facilities will be improved. However, aeronautical charges will not be increased.
By the time the project is completed, there will be 3 elevators and 2 escalators to ease the movement of people with disabilities. Two conveyor belts will be installed to increase baggage handling at Kigali International Airport.
Since we expect an increase in traffic / number of airline operating on Kigali International Airport, this means we need a bigger airport apron and security is very paramount. We have installed new, efficient and reliable security systems using second generation scanner technology, says RCAA.
