The Kenya Airports Authority has kicked off the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing Angama airstrip in Maasai Mara.
The airstrip will be rehabilitated to a fully-fledged airport.
The project which was unveiled Tuesday is set to be executed in three phases with the ultimate goal of having a fully operational international airport at the National Reserve.
“We are today hosted by Narok county government at the Maasai Mara to officiate the groundbreaking ceremony,” KAA said via Twitter on Tuesday.
KAA said phase one of the project will see the existing 1260m long runway rehabilitated and its width expanded from 18m to 23m.
This is to facilitate the operation of code C Aircraft at the facility.
Phase one will also see the construction of a new Apron and fencing.
KAA MD Alex Gitari noted that the Authority has invested and is working to deliver new infrastructure that will attract new services, routes and airlines to the different tourism destinations in the country.
Gitari added that collaboration with National and County governments, airlines and tourism agencies is an essential part of their collective growth and success.
In 2018, KAA set aside Sh691 million for the upgrade of six county airstrips.
The Angama airstrip services several high-end tourism resorts within the popular Mara.
It is in Mara where herds of the annual wildebeest migration normally occur.
The animals enter and exit the Maasai Mara National Reserve from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
This makes the area a prime viewing spot for the world-renowned wildlife spectacle.
The upgrade of the airstrip will enable it to handle larger capacity aircraft and boost connectivity to exclusive resorts.
Currently, only chartered planes can access the facilities.
Edited by D Tarus
