Kisumu International Airport (KIA) has been given a green light to allow international landing of wide-body jets.
Capital Businesses reported that KIA had received a compliance re-certification from Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The certificate which is valid for two years was presented to the airport’s manager Selina Gor on Friday, May 13.
The certificate was issued by KCAA Director General Emile Arao alongside International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Regional Director Barry Kashambo.
The new development comes ahead of the 9th edition of Africities Summit where seven Heads of State and more than 8,000 delegates are expected to jet into the lakeside city through KIA.
In February 2022, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) kicked off the expansion of the airport in readiness for the conference.
The facelift included a construction of a mezzanine floor in the passenger terminal to increase its capacity.
The construction was undertaken by China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation for KSh 240 million.
The airport has been handling domestic flights for airlines such as the Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Fly540, Air Renegade Air Kenya, Safarilink Aviation and 748 Airline.
Over time, however, the facility has continued to witness an increase in passenger traffic, recording 500,000 new passengers annually.
