Kenyans and foreign visitors will now be able to fly to the Northern parts of Kenya after President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the newly built KSh 2.5 billion Isiolo International Airport, which is a part of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project.
The Isiolo airport is expected to boost transportation and market for miraa, beef and fresh produce exports from Kenya’s Northern and Eastern regions.
Speaking during the launch, the head of state said that the airport will open up the Northern tourism belt and increase the number of tourists which will in turn boost the economy for the benefit of the residents. “This airport is a catalyst to economic development that will come with the expansion of tourism and creation of quality job opportunities,” President Kenyatta said.
He further noted that it will open up the beautiful Northern Kenya tourism attractions consisting of eco-tourism, rich cultural heritage, national reserves, private ranches, wildlife conservancies and anticipated the resort city.
The ultra-modern airport has a passenger terminal with a capacity of 125,000 passengers annually and a floor area of 5000 square meters while its passenger terminal car park is able to accommodate 200 cars.
Some of key amenities include nine check-in counters (domestic and international), a VIP lounge, restaurant, duty free shops, banking facilities, Forex bureaus, airline front offices and shops.
