Tanzania aviation update – Kilimanjaro International Airport rehabilitation to start in January 2012 with planning and design stage

KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REHAB PROJECT TO START NEXT JANUARY
Information about an upcoming major rehabilitation and modernization of the Kilimanjaro International Airport, in an earlier article here already mentioned, has now confirmed that the project is set to go underway by January 2012.
Now just over 40 years old, the airport was inaugurated in 1971, and has been without a single upgrade since then. Finally therefore this key aviation facility is moving with the times it seems and is following the example of other regional airports with regular international connections, to provide better infrastructure, airside and landside.
After the financing is now seemingly in the bag the planning and design stage will commence first, before the plans can then be advertised for tendering before, after selecting a main contractor, work can then commence by early 2013. It is understood that the Dutch government will be offering a part grant for the project.
Traffic through JRO is expected to top 650.000 passengers this year, stretching the airports capacity during rush hour to the limit, while airlines have been complaining about the state of the runways, taxiway and apron, all of which are due to be resurfaced completely, with another taxiway being constructed to increase capacity.
Kilimanjaro International Airport is located between the municipalities of Moshi and Arusha and it is here that many of the tourists visiting Tanzania commence their safaris to the Northern national parks of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, but also of course to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, which towers in the distance over the airport, on clear days for all to see. Watch this space.