This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
Malindi International Airport has expanded its operating hours, a move aimed at increasing the number of flights to the coastal town. The airport will now operate from 5 am to 12 am each day, a shift from its previous schedule.
According to Mohamed Karama, the Airport manager, the extended operating time will enable airlines to operate at night, thereby increasing the number of flights. Kenya Airways has capitalized on the extended working hours to include early morning and late-night flights, with a flight taking off at 5 am and another landing at 12 am daily.
Mr. Karama also addressed concerns about the size of the runway at the airport, stating that the current runway can accommodate large aircraft. The airport underwent expansion in 2018 to allow international flights from Europe to land at the facility, and at the moment, large planes are able to land and take off from the coastal hub.
However, the airport manager clarified that large aircraft headed to Europe still need to refuel at Mombasa's Moi International Airport because they cannot take off with fueled tanks from the Malindi air hub.
One of the challenges facing the airport is the need for a buffer zone on its western side. Mr. Karama requested help from the county government to secure a buffer zone between the neighboring Kisumu Ndogo location and the airport, citing a security risk due to the construction of buildings close to the airport's fence. Currently, some buildings are as close as 3 meters from the facility's fence, which poses a risk to the airport's security.
