SH126BN SET ASIDE FOR EXPANSION OF ZANZIBAR AIRPORT

In Summary

• This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Transport, Mr Mustafa Aboud Jumbe after inspected the implementation of the project on Monday, April 30.

Zanzibar. About $56 million (approximately Sh126 billion) has been set aside to complete the construction of terminal II at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA).

This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Transport, Mr Mustafa Aboud Jumbe after inspected the implementation of the project on Monday, April 30.

MrJumbe said the project has been financed by the Chinese government, which was guaranteed by the union government.

The construction of the second terminal started in January 2011 by a Chinese company, Beijing Construction Engineering Group.

A new apron of 100,000 square metres will replace the existing 21,000 square metres.

Upon completion, it will have the capacity to serve up to 1.5 million passengers per year.

The new terminal was expected to be operational by 2014.

Meanwhile, the terminal 1, once completed, will be serving domestic flights.

The completion of the project is expected to boost tourism as well as trade in the Isles.

“We expect that when the project is completed, we will be able to receive major airlines, something which will increase revenues besides boosting tourism and trade,” said MrJumbe.

For his part, Beijing Construction Engineering Group representative LeguinMnc revealed that the terminal will be operational in the next 18 months.

The Citizen