KIA braces for more world-class airlines

Passengers on the Qatar Airways Doha-Kilimanjaro route disembark from the company’s Airbus A320 that made its inaugural Maiden flight at Kilimanjaro International Airport today afternoon. Photo by staff photographer

By GEOFFREY NANGAI,

Kilimanjaro.

TWO more other international Airliners that include Turkish Airlines and Emirates Air plan to launch direct flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) following the rehabilitation and maintenance project of the airport   spearheaded by the Kilimanjaro Airport Development Company (KADCO),the Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Hamis Kagasheki has said.

KADCO, a company that manages operations of the KIA has already secured a $30 million from a Netherlands-based firm, Orion Grand Facility in a bid to transform KIA into a fully-fledged tourist’s gateway.

Speaking during the maiden launch of Qatar Airways Doha –Kilimanjaro route at KIA yesterday, Kagasheki said KIA will now be able to get connections from the rest of the world which will help increase tourist inflow into the country as well as increasing the country’s revenue earnings.

“We have unique tourist sites that can attract more tourists in to the country. We need to embark on an aggressive marketing campaign that will help lure more tourists into the country.

“The good news is that we have respectable airline companies flying directly into the country that will help connect us to the rest of the world,” he said.

Earlier the Transport Dr.Harrison Mwakyembe speaking on Qatar Airways flight to Kilimanjaro said the plane’s decision to vie the Doha-Kilimanjaro route will be of great significance to the country.

The KADCO Board Chairman Ambassador Hassan Gumbo Kibelloh however said the company will provide a five-star handling services to all the companies interested in using the airport.

“Airlines interested in flying to KIA should be rest assured that they will get   five-star handling services to match their status. Our vision is not only to make KIA a competitive airport but also dedicated to environmental conservation,” he said.

The Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Marwan Koleilat during the occasion said the company’s launch of the Doha-Kilimanjaro route is commitment to providing world-class services adding that Kilimanjaro will now be connected to a variety of destinations across the country.

Qatar Airways joins other major airlines such as KLM, Edelweiss air, Condor air and Ethiopian Airlines to fly to the northern located international airport.