Kadco invests Sh2.7 billion in expansion of KIA parking lot
What you need to know:
- KIA is the gateway for close to 80 percent of 1.5 million tourists visiting the country annually, leaving behind $2.6 billion as well as a large chunk of horticultural crops volume destined to overseas
Moshi. Kilimanjaro Airports Development Company (Kadco) has embarked on executing its ambitious car parking expansion plan at Tanzania’s second busiest airport to curb ever-growing traffic congestion, thanks to influx of tourists.
Kadco is the government’s executive arm entrusted to run the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), the second largest airport after the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA).
KIA, straddles in the middle of Tanzania’s northern tourism circuit, is the strategic gateway for close to 80 percent of 1.5 million tourists visiting the country annually, leaving behind $2.6 billion as well as a large chunk of horticultural crops volume destined to overseas markets and other cargoes.
Billed as the grand project, it will cost a Sh2.7 billion, as Kadco seeks to increase parking spaces at KIA from 85 to 187 lots, in its efforts to tackle parking deficit, particularly during the peak tourism season, when users triple, owing to the upsurge in tourists traffic.
“With only 85 parking spaces, the struggle has been very real. At times we receive 300 tourist vehicles at ago and you can imagine how worse it could be. Drivers spend a considerable amount of time in parking lots just to find the right place to park their vehicles,” said Kadco managing director Christine Mwakatobe.
Document shows that the scope of work involves the installation of state-of-the-art floodlights, construction of drainage system, resurfacing, rehabilitation and extension of the existing car parking area.
Ms Mwakatobe said that expanding KIA’s parking lot with environmental considerations at the heart of expansion would mean to raise profile of the airport as the project would now allow for more spaces and room for cars to manoeuvre, thus creating a safe environment for all clientele and staff.
“The expansion parking area would afford the greatest benefits. For instance economically, this project will create more than 100 temporary jobs for the residents around airport during the implementation phase,” she explained.
Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (Tato) CEO Sirili Akko showered praises to the Kadco management for its prompt action in expanding the airport’s parking lot in order to offer holidaymakers a hassle-free trip right from the arrival lounge.
The number of tourists has continued to rise day to day, thanks to the relaxation of the travellers restrictions globally, and of course, the impact of Royal tour film directed by the President Samia Suluhu Hassan, making the parking infrastructure unable to cope with pressure.
Official data indicates that the number of international airlines operating from KIA has grown to 13, up from 11 in 2020.
