KQ resumes flights to Eldoret as governors revive cargo business

National carrier Kenya Airways has resumed flights to Eldoret International Airport after more than two years.

This comes as the national government and governors from the North Rift region work to revive cargo handling business, which had stalled at the airport for the last one year.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii along with KQ top management will today (Monday) be at the airport to launch the resumption of the flights.

KQ said in a statement that the passenger flights at the airport will run for five days weekly including on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“The resumption of the flights will expand KQ’s network within the local market and enhance regional connectivity offering seamless travel experiences for both business and leisure travellers,” the airline said.

North Rift Economic Bloc governors two weeks ago met with other stakeholders at the airport to finalise plans on how to revive and sustain cargo imports and exports at the airport where the business had been suspended.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who is also chairman of the Noreb, said they had met with stakeholders including officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Cargo Handlers Association and farmers who engage in fresh produce business.

 “We are excited that we have reached an agreement to work together and ensure that  we will fully revive cargo handling business at this airport and sustain the same as part of efforts to grow the economy of our region and the country,” said said.

He said they had together with the KRA and other agencies and stakeholders dealt with issues, which caused the suspension of the cargo business at the airport.

“We have streamlined all issues to do with clearing of cargo and matters to do with taxation processes so that we have seamless operations at the airport for the benefit of our country,” he said.

He was with his counterpart from Elgeyo Marakwet, Wisley Rotich, and Bii.

Also present were KRA Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Lilian Nyawanda, chairman of the Cargo Consolidators Association Mohammed Abrudrahman and secretary general Abdulrahman Bashir.

Sang said counties in the region were working with farmers to look into how to increase production of fresh produce, which will be exported through the airport.

“As Noreb, we have already done some good groundwork to ensure our farmers diversify and grow high value crops that can be exported and moving forward we know this facility be a busy hub in cargo handling,” Sang said.

They are also working with CS Murkomen to help expand the runway at the airport and improve other facilitates. The improvements required include provision of jet fuel at the airport.

The governor regretted that the stability of flights at the airport was a major concern for stakeholders who remained unsure of availability of flights at the facility and could not thus engage in long term plans.

Abdulrahman said cargo consolidators were ready to work with other stakeholders to put to use the airport, which largely remains under-utilised.

The chairman of the consolidators said they hope to have a daily cargo flight at the airport but they would work with all stakeholders to achieve the target.  

“We are really interested in seeing this airport sustain both in bound and outgoing cargo  so that flights that come in with cargo do not leave empty,” Abdulrahman said.