KENYA: Passengers Stuck At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Due To Technical Faults

Passengers at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), were left stranded following major delays on Sunday afternoon.

An employee at the airport confirmed: Yes, we are experiencing several delays at the airport resulting from a technical glitch that engineers are working to resolve at moment, she disclosed.

However, renown Kenyan journalist, Larry Madowo tweeting from a plane at the airport claimed that they had been stuck on the tarmac for over half an hour due to a total radar systems failure.

Nairobi Air Traffic Control reportedly goes manual at JKIA after radar control system failure. We have been stuck on the tarmac for over 30minutes now, revealed an excerpt of his tweet.

Air traffic controllers provide direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace, with their primary purpose being to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of air traffic.

These controllers use the radar control system to coordinate the movements of thousands of aircraft, keeping them at ­safe distances from each other as well as directing them during takeoff and landing from airports in order to ensure that traffic flows smoothly with minimal delays.

Plans at the international airport are said to be maintaining a holding pattern as staff worked on clearing flights manually.

The delays come barely a month since a passenger was arrested for allegedly raising a false alarm in a Johannesburg bound Kenya Airways plane that forced the flight to abort take off at the national airport.

This forced the airport to be closed temporarily as police conducted a search that lasted for the better part of the day.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Kenya Airways Poor Handling Of Passengers Letting It Down

Although I have been a strong supporter of Kenya Airways, I am slowly giving up on the airline.

It has a hopelessly insensitive management: On the ground, in terminals, in the air, and in the competitive aviation business.

A couple of years ago, while waiting to board a KQ flight from Entebbe to Nairobi one evening, my wife and I were shocked how casual the staff was regarding explaining why the flight was late, and why we had to stay in hotels overnight.

As it turned out, the so-called explanation was rather juvenile. We had been delayed due to "a technical hitch", which could not be rectified in time for the plane to take off and land at the JKIA before midnight.

When I inquired further from some of the crew who were equally disappointed, I was informed that such incidences were now very common with the late flight from Entebbe to Nairobi.

It was as if someone or some people were "trying to send a message" to top management at Kenya Airways. Apparently, this culture of "trying to send a message" has not changed.

This time, the message is not being sent to management; la sivyo! The message is being sent to los pasajeros — the passengers! Why do I say so? Let me recount to you yet another incident, this time at JKIA itself.

On Wednesday morning this week, I woke up early in Nairobi at 4 am to take the 6.15am flight to Kisumu. My guests, the Secretary General of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) and his deputy got to the airport ahead of me, checked in and proceeded to board the plane.

Arriving at the departure gate in a hurry to catch up with them, I discovered a menacing shower that made it rather nasty to walk to the plane parked close to 200 meters away!

I wondered why KQ management did not have the courtesy to provide us with a bus to take passengers to the plane in view of the awful weather! Someone in KQ was sending us passengers a message: "You have no alternative to fly except on our terms!"

Getting to the plane almost drenched I was livid! I started telling the crew staff a piece of my mind when I realised, rather belatedly, how innocent these creatures were.

The problem was not them but their bosses, who had zilch sense regarding how precious their passengers are.

Zero sense I tell you. A little thing like keeping a bus ready for passengers to get to a plane 200 meters away escapes a General Manager, a Station Manager, a Public Relations Manager, you name them!

You will never catch up with the likes of Emirates at this rate!

But why was I so mad? It was not simply because I had been rained on but more because my two guests, coming from the UCLGA, were in Kenya to assess how ready we are to host the 9th Edition of Africities Conference in Kisumu in November 2021.

By this terrible passengers treatment by KQ my guests could easily doubt the competence of our airport to provide good reception and send off for our guests in 2021. You dig?

When I chaired the Senate Select Committee on Kenya Airways in the last Parliament, we recommended that KQ's future could only be guaranteed if it joined hands with Kenya Airports Authority in a sound business deal that could see KQ/JKIA function as one business entity the Emirates/Dubai way.

But then the management of KQ needed to demonstrate sound business acumen and culture before leaping into this innovative venture.

There is absolutely no way in which this leap can be taken when KQ managers have zero sense of how to treat their most precious business partner: The passenger.

I am, therefore, slowly becoming rather sceptical of the edifice of KQ management.

What management substance are these guys made of? As my friend, Justice Richard Otieno Kwach, would wittingly ask: Where did they go to school?

What Kwach really means is that going to some "real" schools, and not "generic" schools, leads one not only to learn something but to imbibe some civic culture, some sense of public duty and some daily demonstration of appreciating "other-regarding acts" and not simply "self regarding acts."

KQ management has become obsessed with its own "self-regarding act" of survival they have forgotten the passenger, their most precious commodity in this very challenging aviation trade.

This is tragic and comical; in short tragicomical! You laugh at the foolishness of management while you feel pain for the passenger who must suffer to get the services from such a non-caring airline. What a pity!

Let us get our facts straight. KQ earns a hell lot of money from their domestic routes, particularly the Kisumu one.

And KQ must, in return, pay a hell lot of landing fees to KAA in return. Both companies are making a hell lot of money from us passengers. And they don't care much for our welfare. Let me flood you with a few more examples.

It has not occurred to KAA that the VIP room at the Kisumu International Airport no longer reflects its reputation as being international.

It is too small, too unimpressive and just too crowded. Receiving an international VIP there makes one feel woefully apologetic.

I should approach the KAA as governor of Kisumu so that I can put up a more presentable VIP station before November 2021 in time for the Africities Conference.

My business plan is sound and would benefit all stakeholders, including the passenger users themselves. But having proposed that I would not like to forget the awful VIP room at the domestic terminal 1D at JKIA.

Surely KQ, is your management oblivious to the fact that your own exponential growth in passengers should have entailed doing something about the growing limited space in this VIP room?

There is something called refurbishment, renovation and expansion in an industry like transport and hospitality.

How come KQ management is embarrassingly unaware of all that? Surely if my two passenger's eyes can see what seems to be obvious every day I pass through terminal 1D, how come KQ and KAA have remained insensitive to the changes needed?

Cry the suffering passenger!

The writer is the Kisumu Governor.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Kenya Airways Emergency Landing In Tanzania After Engine Burst Into Flames

New details have emerged after a Kenya Airways (KQ) plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, when one of its engines burst into flames.

The plane which had 142 passengers and 10 crew members en-route to Johannesburg, South Africa, from Nairobi, Kenya, managed to land safely, thus averting a potential disaster, but concerns have been raised on how KQ handled the emergency situation.

Internal investigation into the terrifying incident which took place on February 12, 2019, revealed there was laxity at the airline's operations control centre.

According to the report published on Tuesday, April 9, the national carrier's operations control centre failed to provide the necessary assistance to the crew on board during the emergency.

It was alleged the duty manager at the control centre who was expected those on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner did not have a flight plan for the plane. The said manager then reportedly proceeded to advise the pilots to return to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The airline had previously indicated the plane simply developed a mechanical problem mid-air and that a team of engineers had been dispatched to Dar es Salaam to assess the situation.

The engineers reportedly found the plane had developed a problem on one of its engines, and that the issue was fixed and the aircraft cleared to fly again.

Responding to queries regarding the February 12 incident, KQ's CEO Sabastian Mikosz was quoted saying the engineers were able to establish what led to the emergency landing and recommended that the affected engine be replaced.

The airline initially appeared to downplay the magnitude of the incident, but the internal probe revealed the engine actually caught fire and that was what forced the crew to make an emergency landing in Dar es Salaam after shutting down the engine.

The report indicated the Boeing 787 Dreamliner had hours earlier landed at JKIA from New York after which it was scheduled to travel to South Africa.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Kenya Airways May Merge With Kenya Airports Authority

Kenya Airways may merge with the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) as part of a grand plan to deepen the airline’s recovery and maintain Nairobi’s status as a regional transport hub.

A policy paper which got the Cabinet’s approval on Tuesday, says the aim is to reposition KQ in a similar fashion as its main rivals, including Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates Group, which have relied on government backing to expand their reach.

The move also appears to be in reaction to the financial difficulties the carrier has continued to experience even after last year’s completion of a major financial reengineering drive, causing concern that it may not be able to withstand competition in the very near future.

Should matters remain in the current state, KQ, the biggest revenue driver for JKIA - Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, may collapse or significantly reduce operations within the next year.

JKIA will downgrade and eventually be relegated to the status of a regional airport as no foreign carrier will develop JKIA for the benefit of Kenya, KQ and the KAA said in a proposal document to the Cabinet.

The policy document named Project Simba notes that the carrier’s recent financial restructuring to the tune of Ksh75 billion ($750 million) was insufficient to resolve its challenges.

Project Simba says that the airline’s fortunes must now be hooked to a comprehensive national aviation policy.

Through a public-private partnership (PPP) that could be signed by September, Kenya Airways will take over all the staff and operations of the KAA in a move that will at once expand the range of its services to include ground handling, maintenance, catering, warehousing and cargo.

It is also envisaged that a special economic zone will emerge around the country’s main aviation hub, JKIA.

The government is further expected to support the joint venture by exempting it from certain taxes and allowing it to retain several levies as part of the plan to stop financial haemorrhage at Kenya Airways and bolster JKIA’s status as an East African aviation hub.

KQ chairman Michael Joseph, who helped craft the plan said finer details, including the new entity’s corporate structure and its implications on the airline’s shareholders, will be worked out in due time.

It is still early days. All the pending issues will be discussed, Mr Joseph said.

Michael Joseph said the government needs to stop looking at KQ as a profit centre on its own but should use it as a tool to deliver wider economic benefits, including attracting foreign tourists and multinationals seeking to establish regional headquarters in Nairobi.

While JKIA is fully owned by the government through the KAA, KQ’s ownership includes private investors whose interests will be addressed through the appointment of transaction advisers and the refinement of the project details.

The government’s stake in the airlines stands at 48.9 per cent, followed by 10 local banks (38.1 per cent). The rest of the KQ shares are held by local and foreign institutional and individual investors.

In contrast, KQ’s rivals such as Emirates, Ethiopian Airways, Qatar Airways and RwandAir are fully owned by their respective governments in what makes it easy to build synergies between the carriers and their home airports.

The proposed project is expected to help KQ add a minimum of 23 aircraft and more than 20 new international destinations over the next five years.

This, in turn, is projected to lift annual passenger numbers to 6.9 million from the current 4.1 million.

Fundamentally, the joint assets will result in synergies, boosting airline-related revenues, increasing exports of goods and creating 25,000 to 30,000 jobs in the future, the parties said.

It is envisaged that the PPP will have the KAA as the contracting authority and KQ as the private party.

The concession, which will run for a minimum of 30 years, will be held by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will be fully owned by the national carrier.

The concession will have variable and fixed fees, with the latter earmarked to settle the KAA’s current liabilities that amount to Ksh5.1 billion ($51 million) per annum.

The government is ready to tweak tax laws to afford the project the necessary fiscal space to implement the ambitious plans.

These include exempting the SPV from valued added tax and exempting KQ from paying the Railway Development Levy and import declaration fees on aircraft, parts and utilities.

Kenya Airways is on track to solvency and is banking on route expansion, cost optimisation and improvement of service after posting a $60.4 million loss.

During the year the carrier restructured its balance sheet and reduced its annual debt payment obligations, allowing it room to revamp its operations.

In his first year as chief executive, Sebastian Mikosz has seen the airline’s loan repayments drop significantly to $91 million, from $250 million in the year to March 2017.

As at December 2017, the airline’s total debt stood at $1.39 billion, with total assets of $1.4 billion. Its operating profit stood at $13 million, from $8.97 million the previous year.

The results are an improvement from last year, when it posted an after-tax loss of $99.6 million. The airline is now seeking partnerships, new routes and cost optimisation to complete its path to recovery by 2020.

We will next month seek the board’s approval to add more than 20 new destinations in Africa, Europe and Asia over the next five years.

We plan to use the five aircraft Kenya Airways sub-leased to other carriers to build capacity and carry additional passengers, Mr Mikotz says.

The airline will this year take back two Boeing Dreamliners sub-leased to Oman Air, with one of them expected in the country by September, which it plans to use to ply its New York route starting October and is expected to boost KQ’s revenues by between eight and 10 per cent.

The other Dreamliner and the three Boeing 777-300 aircraft leased to Turkish Airlines will be returned to the airline by end of next year.

We are looking at at least one European and one Asian route on top of the African network. We might announce two to three new routes to start operating next year, Mr Mikotz said.

Airline chairman Michael Joseph also said they plan to partner with other airlines.

We are discussing with South African Airways to join forces on aircraft repairs, route sharing and other issues. For instance, we fly to similar destinations in Africa, so why not share these? Mr Joseph said.

This year the airline also changed its financial reporting date from March to December in-sync with other aviation players such as travel agents, financiers and lessors.

Right now, we are restructuring the business, finding ways to increase revenues and keep costs manageable, Mr Joseph added.

The $60.4 million loss, the airline said was due to the 14 per cent increase in fuel costs mirroring global fuel prices, and a 20 per cent drop in customer numbers.

Last year the carrier airlifted 3.4 million passengers during the nine months to December earning $808 million, but its operating costs consumed $795 million.

This was a drop from 4.2 million carried in the previous year, which the airline blamed on the prolonged electioneering, which saw passengers change their transit points from Nairobi to other African airports.

KQ’s equity stood at $4.17 million in the period under review compared with negative $450 million in the year to March 2017.

The change in fortunes stems from a complex restructuring late last year, during which its main creditors, including 10 local commercial banks and the government converted $442 million loans into equity.

This saved it from downfall as part of a $2 billion debt restructuring programme.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Favourite Transiting Hub

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) registered a growth of transit passengers last year, highlighting it as a favourite transiting hub for international travellers.

Data by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicate that the number of international passengers in transit increased by 2.7 per cent from 1.2 million in 2016 to 1.25 million last year.

JKIA is a major hub for passengers connecting to Europe, US or even the Middle East.

Overall, Kenya’s major airports recorded an increase on the number of passengers who used different ports in the period under review.

The total number of passengers increased by 3.5 per cent from 9.8 million in 2016 to 10.1 million last year, says the KNBS in a new released Economic Survey.

The number of passengers handled at the JKIA increased by 2.2 per cent to 7.3 million while those handled at the Moi International Airport (MIA) remained at 1.2 million during the review period.

The Moi International Airport handles aircraft coming from outside the country because of its tourism status, unlike some airports that only handle domestic airlines.

Commercial cargo handled at the JKIA increased by 18 per cent to 273,000 tonnes with MIA recording an increase of 20 per cent to 3,500 tonnes.

According to the KNBS, domestic landings and takeoffs increased by 1.5 per cent to 207,831 in 2017, as more airlines moved in to tap the high demand for flying.

Local airlines have been expanding to new routes as demand for air travel in parts of the country that do not have a developed air transport takes root.

This is a boost to Kenyans who are now enjoying low fares due to increased competition.

In the last couple of months, airlines have launched new routes that include the far flung Wajir region that have been lagging behind in air transport.

Jambojet is currently flying to Wajir and it charges Sh4,200 for one way ticket.

This is the latest local route that they have introduced in their schedule.

Local airline Silverstone Air Services introduced Kisumu and Mombasa routes last year, targeting tourists on the Western and Coastal circuit.

The airline launched commercial flights from Nairobi to Kisumu and Ukunda, having previously operated as a charter-only carrier.

Silverstone is currently operating five planes on its local routes, consisting of two Dash-8 planes and three Fokker 50 aircraft.

The airline launched daily flights to Lodwar in January, increasing the competition for customers on the route that is also served by Fly540, Safarilink and several other carriers.

Silverstone is charging Sh8,500 for one way ticket to Lodwar, the same amount that Skyward Express ticket costs on the same route.

The plans to put up a second runway at JKIA are underway after the country secured funding from African Development Bank (AFDB).

This marks a major starting point for the expansion of the airport that has for a long time been operating with a single runway.

The single runway has been blamed for delays in takeoffs and landing of the aircrafts at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The project is expected to commence in the second half of 2018 and is expected to ease delays at once it is commissioned.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Kenya Airways Preparing For Flights To New York

Officials from the US security department met Kenya’s aviation regulator last month to confirm that all the safety measures are in place ahead of the scheduled direct flights to New York later in the year.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had a session with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) with the view to ensuring that the measures that were put in place to facilitate direct flights between the two countries are still intact.

KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe said the officials were impressed with the progress and they have given Kenya a clean bill of health.

Officials from TSA were here to check our compliance in regard to Category 1 status and they were impressed with the measures that have been put in place, said Mr Kibe.

This comes at a time when Kenya Airports Authority is waiting for response on some items that the TSA wanted corrected before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is given the Last Point of Departure (LPD) status.

The first audit was done last year in December but Kenya did not pass the test as there were some measures that needed to be put in place to meet the compliance level.

The KAA said early this year that they had carried out corrective measures as requested by TSA, and that they were waiting for their decision.

Some of the things that the audit focused on include documentation of the processes at the airport, security perimeter at the facility and access control measures enacted by the authority.

The LPD status will allow Kenya Airways and any other airline that has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly directly to the US from Nairobi.

The national carrier received exemption authority from the DOT last year, allowing it to commence flights to the United States provided it secures clearance from the FAA and other applicable State agencies.

JKIA was in February last year given Category One status after several audit processes by FAA that had seen Kenya fail to meet a number of reviews, delaying the earlier commencement date of August 2016.

The key item on audit was the security measures that Kenya had implemented to guarantee direct flights between the two countries.

After getting LDP clearance, the last remaining thing will be the granting of Kenya Airways or any other airline an Air Operator Certificate by FAA after inspecting the carrier’s equipment and facilities, which is expected to be this month.



Tourism Observer

KENYA: Emirates Has Not Canceled Flights Between Nairobi And Dubai, General Miguna Miguna Forced On Board

General Miguna Miguna
Emirates Airlines on Thursday denied claims of flight cancellations attributed to a lawyer representing deported lawyer and politician Miguna Miguna.

The airline maintained its flights between Nairobi and Dubai were on schedule contrary to the allegations posted on lawyer Nelson Havi's official Twitter page.

Emirates’ flights between Nairobi and Dubai continue to operate as scheduled, said the airline.

Dr Miguna on Thursday morning deported to Dubai aboard a EK722 Emirates flight following his detention at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) since his arrival on Monday at 2.30 pm.

In sworn suit documents, Dr Miguna’s lawyers claimed the self-proclaimed National Resistance Movement (NRM) general had been held incommunicado in a toilet at Terminal 2 at the airport and that his Canadian passport had been withheld.

Self-declared 'general' of National Resistance Movement (NRM) Miguna Miguna has confirmed his lawyers' claims that he was drugged before being deported to Dubai on Wednesday night.

In his first Facebook post on arrival in Dubai, the lawyer on Thursday morning said he very sick and needs urgent medical attention.

“I was dragged, assaulted, drugged and forcefully flown to Dubai,” he posted.

“I woke up in Dubai and the despots are here insisting that I must travel on to London.”

He added, “I’m sick. My ribs and body is hurting all over. This is a travesty of justice! I need medical treatment. I need urgent help here.”

Dr Miguna accused an officer he only identified as Mr Njihia for threatening him and remained adamant that he would not leave the airport.

I want to take a flight only to Nairobi. Nowhere else!

Lawyer Cliff Ombeta, who represented Dr Miguna, on Wednesday night claimed that his client was sedated, handcuffed and taken away.

The airport was on police lockdown on Wednesday night, with police in full combat gear attacking journalists and lawyers who attempted to access Dr Miguna.

The lawyers had gone to the airport to serve court orders directing his release when they were roughed up.

Some sources claimed the exit Dr Miguna, the self-declared ‘general’ of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), a wing of the Nasa that was formed to champion resistance against products of firms deemed friendly and financiers of Jubilee government, was facilitated by Canada.

Canada was very strict on flying rules which General Miguna Miguna obeyed.

The lawyer holds Canadian citizenship and has denied government claims that he acquired it after ceasing to be a Kenyan in 1998.

Dr Miguna, who ran for Nairobi governorship in Kenya's August 8, 2017 General Election and has two homes, one in the capital and the other in Nyando, Kisumu County, insists he is a Kenyan by birth.

Lawyer and National Super Alliance (Nasa) activist Miguna Miguna landed in Dubai and refused to leave the international airport.

The self-declared general of National Resistance Movement (NRM) was kicked out of Kenya on Wednesday evening in breach of three High Court orders.

In a video recording posted by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, who appeared to have boarded the same flight with the fiery lawyer, Dr Miguna is seen arguing with a security officer telling him to kill him if he wants.

Do whatever you want to do, kill me if you want, I don’t fear death…so do whatever you want, Dr Miguna is heard saying while seated at the airport’s arrival bay with his luggage.

The airport officer is heard offering a wheel chair to ferry Dr Miguna to the security office.

I don’t want. You don’t respect human rights, Dr Miguna is heard shouting the officer down.

The self-declared general of National Resistance Movement (NRM) is seen trying to make some calls as the security officer pleads with him.

So far, there has been no official statement on the second deportation from the government.

Dr Miguna's social media accounts earlier indicated he was being held in a toilet at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's Terminal 2.

Through his Facebook account, Mr Kuria claimed to have landed together with Dr Miguna in Dubai.

This morning at Dubai International Airport I bid farewell to the leader of the breakaway Eastern Suburbs of Toronto, NRM General Miguna Miguna, who completed a successful 4-day state visit to Kenya, posted the MP, a staunch supporter of Jubilee and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Aboard Flight EK 722. I can positively confirm that we have all nationalities on this flight, including a very bald headed Canadian.


Tourism Observer

KENYA: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Opens Public Car Park

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport car garage has opened to the public in what is expected to ease congestion and boost revenues.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) had in 2013 converted the car parking garage into a temporary arrivals section after a fire destroyed Terminal 1.

Security features at the garage have been fixed and works at arrival terminals 1A and IE now completed.

Kenya Airports Authority is pleased to announce that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport car parking garage is now officially open to the public.

The facility is able to handle 1,300 additional parking spaces.

Cars using the garage will be charged Sh100 on average, depending on the duration they are parked at the facility.

Installation of CCTV cameras at the garage was one of the security measures implemented by KAA ahead of auditing by American Authorities for direct flights to the US.

The JKIA was in February given Category One status following several audit processes by the US’ Federal Aviation Administration.

The status is awarded based on proven capabilities of a country’s civil aviation authority that it has the laws and oversight processes in place to assure safe operations.

That determination is made on the basis of a country’s compliance with safety standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a UN agency.

Earlier, Kenya had failed to meet a number of conditions, delaying commencement of flights in August last year.

Major upgrades have been made at the JKIA since its international terminal was destroyed in a fire four years ago.

Operating direct flights between Kenya and the US is expected to cut by half freight costs in what could have a ripple effect on economic growth. Kenya exports mostly horticultural products to the US.

Kenya contributes more than 35 per cent share to the global flower trade that continues to grow despite stiff competition from Ecuador, Ethiopia and Colombia.

KENYA: Lazizi Premiere Hotel - 144-room And 4 Star - Opens At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

The very first airport hotel has opened, seeking to cash in on the growing passenger, cargo, and airline numbers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The 144-room Lazizi Premiere Hotel is located on First Freight Lane inside the JKIA.

It is targeting transiting passengers, airline crews, and business executives on the go.

This is very strategic because there is no other airport hotel here. We are also targeting those who work in the airport and in the vicinity who can walk in for lunch, said Kiran Patel, owner of the hotel.

Mumbai-based hotelier Sarovar runs the hotel under a management contract.

It currently has a portfolio of four hotels in Kenya including Heron Portico, Zehneria Portico, and the upcoming Tetezi Hometel, owned by lawyer John Mburu.

The four-star Lazizi airport hotel sits on a 1.5 acre plot. It features three conference rooms targeting business meetings, as well as a rooftop pool, spa, gym, coffee shop, bar, café where guests can while away as they wait for their flights.

Lazizi has employed 165 staff, Mr Patel said. Satya Roychowdhur, an ex- Carlson Rezidor executive, is the general manager at Lazizi.

JKIA passenger traffic grew 9.7 per cent to hit 7.1 million travellers in 2016 according to official data.

International travellers – the captive market for airport hotels – make up three quarters of the total passenger traffic according to data from Kenya Airports Authority.

Hilton Garden Inn, another airport hotel located next to JKIA, was expected to open in March 2016, but construction work is yet to be completed.

Airport hotels also profit from events such as flight delays, reschedules or cancelled journeys, which at times force airlines to offer accommodation to distraught passengers.

Mumbai-based hotelier Sarovar plans to open its first-ever budget hotel under the Hometel brand in Nairobi after signing a deal with a city lawyer to put up the facility.

The upcoming Tetezi Hometel Nairobi is owned by lawyer John Mburu, and targets business travellers and holidaymakers on a shoestring budget.

Sarovar will manage the hotel’s day-to-day operations, earning a fee for its brand and services.

The 80-room hotel is located on Riverside Drive and its construction has already started with the opening set for 2019.

A typical Hometel hotel development cost in Kenya,excluding cost of land is estimated at $60,000 (Sh6.1 million) per room.

There is a growing demand for good value for money hotels across the country and abroad. This is the largest demand segment. We aim to cater to these markets with our hotels by offering best value to business and leisure travellers, said Ajay Bakaya, managing director at Sarovar Hotels in a statement.

Tetezi Hometel Nairobi will be the first in Africa, he said, adding that the brand delivers profitable hotels to owners.

Mr Mburu will invest about Sh480 million in the construction, Sarovar said.

The budget hotel brings to four the total number of properties managed by Sarovar in Kenya including Heron Portico and Zehneria Portico.

Lazizi Premiere located near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, has opened.

The Indian hotelier has three brands: Premiere (luxury), Portico (midscale) and budget offering Hometel. There are 10 Hometel hotels worldwide, Sarovar said.

Sarovar presence in Africa will now total to eight hotels including New Africa Hotel and Casino in Dar-es-Salaam, the 73-roomed Panorama Sarovar Portico in Juba, Sarovar Premiere in Lusaka, and Sarovar Premiere Addis Ababa.

SUDAN: Khartoum International Airport Closure Causes Flight Delays

Khartoum International Airport was closed on Thursday evening, which caused delays of both inbound and outbound flights.

Fire at an ammunition and explosives storage inside the airport perimeter in an area occupied by Sudan's armed forces, which prompted the airport management to shut down all operations until the fire had been put out.

It appears that no major explosions of ordnance took place, a stroke of good luck for that matter as such an incident could have cause major damage through blast waves and flying debris to parked aircraft, engineering hangars and terminal buildings.

A Kenyan aviation source on condition of anonymity said 'We also have a Kenya Air Force base at JKIA, on the Embakasi side. I am not aware they store ammunitions there.

Our air force mainly uses the former Eastleigh Aerodrome and has bases as far as Nanyuki. Those facilities, which are not open to civilian air traffic, of course store ammunitions but to keep explosives at a civilian airport is simply a big no go!

But then, Khartoum plays by different rules it seems. I wonder what global bodies like ICAO and IATA have to say about such incidents'.

The airport in Khartoum was closed for about two hours on Thursday night while firefighters put out the blaze at the explosives store.

Kenya Airways Pilots Strike

Kenya Airways (KQ) faces further turbulent times.Airline finally resumes cancelled flights but pilots insist strike still on from tomorrow Yesterday, the airline had cancelled five flights to various African countries as go-slow by its outsourced staff begun to weigh on its operations.

And last evening, the airline announced that operations had returned to normalcy adding that 67 flights had taken off “from the around the network as at 4pm Kenyan time.”

The flight cancellations were occasioned by a strike by at least 500 employees outsourced by KQ through Career Direction Ltd (CDL) who began work boycott last Friday.

Flights 600 to Mombasa, 432 to Kilimajaro, 350 to Juba, 706 to Lusaka/Harare and 740 to Maputo were cancelled after their crew failed to report to work. Flight 782 to Livingston/Cape Town was also delayed, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded.

This month alone, the airline has cancelled or delayed flights twice, putting the ‘Pride of Africa’ into more troubles.

On October 2, KQ delayed flights at Moi International Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The contracted employees have decried poor remuneration, which they want addressed by the airline that has continued to post huge losses despite its efforts to cut down on its wage bill by outsourcing crew and other low cadre employees.

“Some of our outsourced staff including cabin crew have stayed away from work from Friday and we are working with their employer to resolve any issues they may have,” KQ said in a statement.

“Despite our effort to solve the problem by combining several flights, we have made the difficult decision to cancel some as the safety of our guests is paramount,” it added.

Further chaos is expected as the pilots, despite a court order, have insisted that their strike notice that expires early tomorrow morning is on.

Yesterday, the Ministry of East Africa Community, Social Protection and Labor announced that it had convened a conciliation meeting today between various parties to seek an amicable settlement on the issues that have given rise to the pilot’s strike notice.

“The separate meetings involving conciliation committee members, staff union representatives, KQ management as well as Cotu and FKE will take place at the ministry’s boardroom from 9am,” said the ministry’s Director of communications, Kaplich Barsito.

Kenya Airways has announced that operations have resumed and that there will be no interruptions.

In a press statement posted on its Twitter page, KQ said that 67 flights have taken off since 4pm and that scheduled evening flights will leave as planned.

Earlier, Kenya Airways had cancelled several fights scheduled for Sunday morning and delayed another after several outsourced crew failed to report to work.

In a statement issued Sunday morning, the national carrier said the staff, including cabin crew had stayed away from work since Friday due to issues with their employer.

“As per the safety regulations that the airline abides to, minimum number of cabin staff per aircraft type is require and on some of our flights we were unable to reach these levels,” the statement said.

The cancelled flights were KQ 600 to Mombasa, KQ 432 to Kilimanjaro, KQ 350 to Juba KQ 706 to Lusaka/Harare, KQ 740 to Maputo, KQ252 to Dzaoudzi and Moroni, while flight KQ 782 to Livingston/Cape Town was delayed.

The statement added that travellers in the affected flights would be re-booked on other flights or airlines.

The airline is grappling with a strike threat by members of the Kenya Airline Pilots Association (Kalpa), who have said they will down their tools on Tuesday despite a court order barring the industrial action.

Should the pilots go ahead with the strike, this could be a financially costly standoff for the troubled airline that is trying to fly out of turbulence.

However, despite the staff hitches, the airline said on its twitter page that it "operated 60 flights out 72 scheduled today".

Kenya Airways, already facing financial difficulties and a threatened pilots' strike, cancelled five flights on Sunday after outsourced cabin crew walked off the job.

While the stoppage only involved a small number of workers, it coincides with a deep malaise at the airline, which in July posted a net annual loss of 26.22 billion shillings ($250 million/230 million euros) -- the worst ever since its privatisation in 1995.

The losses follow a series of disastrous strategic decisions touching on maintenance costs, a hedge on fuel prices and rising dollar-denominated loans.

"Some of our outsourced staff including cabin crew have stayed away from work from Friday and we are working with their employer to resolve any issues they may have," Kenya Airways said in a statement on Twitter.

"As per the safety regulations that the airline abides to, minimum number of cabin staff per aircraft type is required and on some of our flights we are unable reach these levels," it said.

The dispute forced the carrier to scrap flights to the Kenyan city of Mombasa, Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Juba (South Sudan), Maputo (Mozambique), and a further flight to Harare, Zimbabwe, via Lusaka, Zambia. No intercontinental flights were affected.

On Friday, some 700 outsourced workers employed by Career Directions Limited complained they had spent six years being retained on one-year contracts and demanded their wages be aligned with those of Kenya Airways' staff.

Kenya Airways faces a strike on Tuesday by disgruntled pilots who have for months been expressing a lack of confidence in the managerial team.

The pilots' union KALPA said last week they would stop work for a week if management did not step down.

The airline, which later this month will release half-year results, responded by obtaining a court order to bar industrial action.

On Thursday, Transport Minister James Macharia said a strike would amount to "national sabotage."

Loss-making national carrier Kenya Airways canceled several flights on Sunday after some crew members failed to turn up for work, the latest blow as the airline struggles to avert a strike called by its pilots.

"Some of our outsourced staff, including cabin crew, have stayed away from work from Friday and we are working with their employer to resolve any issues they may have," the airline said in a statement.

Flights to the Kenyan city of Mombasa, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Juba in South Sudan, Lusaka in Zambia, Harare in Zimbabwe and Maputo in Mozambique were canceled because there were not enough crew members to fly safely.

Kenya Airways later said that normal service had resumed but offered no further details.

Pilots union KALPA has called an indefinite strike, scheduled to start on Tuesday, to protest against the management of the airline, which is part owned by the government and Air France KLM.

The union said its members had lost confidence in the ability of the airline's chief executive and chairman to end years of losses. On Friday, a court ruled the strike was illegal and the government had said it would be "economic sabotage". On Thursday, the airline said it had halved its pre-tax loss to 5 billion shillings ($49.4 million) in the past six months thanks to a recovery in passenger numbers.

KENYA: Jomo Kenyata International Airport To Open New Lounge, Courtesy Turkish Airlines.

A site inspection earlier this week by Kenya Airport Authority, Turkish Airlines and Turkish Embassy staff gave a clear indication how far the construction of the new Turkish Airlines premium lounge has advanced in recent weeks.

Hot on the heels of the opening of two lounges, Mara and Mt. Kenya, in the new Terminal 2, owned and operated by Tradewinds Aviation, will the new premium lounge commissioned by Turkish Airlines add yet more facilities at JKIA, as the modernization and refurbishment of the old terminals continues.

A Site inspection to assess progress for the new Turkish Airlines / Star Alliance premium lounge at JKIA.

It is understood that the lounge in Terminal 1D will cater not only for premium passengers of the daily Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul but will also be available for other Star Alliance partners flying to Nairobi.

In a related development is the official launch of the new arrival lounge, which will cater for international passengers arriving on airlines other than Kenya Airways and their SkyTeam partners, now imminent. Final tests, as reported here, were successful and the passenger flow will be re-directed to the new facility in just a few days from now.

KENYA: Starwood To Open Hotel At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has expanded into the Kenyan market with a planned Four Points Sheraton Hotel to be built at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The facility is one among six other hotels planned by the global hospitality giant through its investment arm the Africa Hotel Investment Forum.

In a statement to the press, the company said the hotel which is being build at the JKIA will target business and leisure travellers visiting Kenya.

The hotel operator said it planned to expand ‘its luxury, upscale and mid-market brands’ where customers in Africa will have a chance to enjoy nine out of its ten compelling lifestyle brands.

“The momentum of growth we are seeing in Africa today is unprecedented. It is a reiteration of the trust our owners have in us, the power of our distinct lifestyle brands and the strength of our global distribution and award-winning loyalty program,” said Starwood’s President for Europe, Africa and Middle East Mr Michael Wale.

Mr Wale said that Kenya was among African countries enjoying a steady economic growth with rapid urbanisation driven by the emerging middle class.

Kenya's middle class love for travel and demand for high quality lodging, said Mr Wale, provides Starwood hotels an opportunity to grow their brands.

The firm is expanding its business in other African countries with six other hotels now under construction including the W Sharm El Sheikh and The Residences in Egypt, Sheraton Bamako in Mali, The Westin Abuja and Residences in Nigeria, Four Points by Sheraton Abuja and The Residences also in Nigeria, Aloft Dakar in Senegal and Element Oyster Bay Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Senior Vice President Acquisition & Development Neil George expressed optimism at the arrangement saying franchising had opened up new opportunities for them to drive growth of their mid-market brands.

The hotel will be build under a franchise agreement signed with AirMarc Limited.

“We are also beginning to see more opportunities for conversion which we are pursuing actively and are confident that this will give further impetus to our growth trajectory. We remain focused on choosing the right partners and the right brands in established, emerging as well as unexplored but interesting destinations,” he said.

Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences under the renowned brands St Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin Le Meridien, Sheraton, Four Points, Aloft, Element and the recently introduced Tribute Portfolio.

KENYA: Kenya Airways Defends Exorbitant Tickets

Kenya airways has defended its air ticket prices from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport saying the charges are considerate.

It said its prices are higher from JKIA since it offers direct flights, compared to other airlines which take up to double the time to reach destinations.

The airlines fence of its pricing comes after the Star carried out an online booking survey on KQ's prices from Nairobi to other destinations for the next two weeks which established they are three times expensive on some routes.

Corporate communication manager Wanjiku Mugo said every airline offers cheaper prices to its hub from other airports to attract traffic.

"Every airline is expected to be strong at home. When we fly from Ethiopia for instance, we offer cheaper prices to bring traffic home before flying out. This is common in the aviation industry," said Wanjiku.

She said the major factor influencing ticket pricing is time the booking is made and flight duration.

"For instance we take eight hours from Nairobi to London, another airline takes up to 19 hours because they have to go back to their hubs. The prices can't be the same," she said.

Airport taxes also add up to the cost of flight hence influencing the ticket prices, she said..

She said early bookings are cheaper, with the current window allowing bookings between 28 and 42 days.

Wanjiku said KQ is in talks with government to develop JKIA as a strong hub to attract more traffic, a move the Middle East carriers are cashing on as transit hubs making their airlines cheaper.

According to Wanjiku, the airline re-designed JKIA services in May, reducing connection time by 20 per cent.

On Tuesday, the Consumer Federation of Kenya secretary general Stephen Mutoro warned that Kenya Airways is losing out to rivals due to high fares.

Mutoro said the carrier which is currently struggling to recover from a massive loss has overpriced itself, despite low quality services and delays..

"London Nairobi route, KQ still expensive as compared to BA (British Airways). Needed a last minute ticket, the difference in price was a whopping £400 (Sh65,639) yet they are both direct flights," said an online reader.

KQ has been on the spotlight since it announced a Sh29.7 billion full year pre-tax loss.