Staff to face security, logistical challenges

By EMMANUEL WERE

KENYA: Airport officials expect several months of security and logistical challenges as they struggle to offer “normal” passenger services with limited facilities.

This was the verdict at the end of a chaotic first day of business at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after a fire destroyed the international arrivals unit.

Confusion over airline schedules Friday led to delays and stranded travellers even though the departures units were undamaged.

Airport authorities allowed national carrier Kenya Airways, which uses JKIA as its hub, to use Unit 3 (used for domestic flights) for its international departures. KQ’s domestic flights were allowed to take off from the cargo centre, about a kilometre away from the main terminal.

Other international airlines continue to use Unit 2. The two units were not damaged in the fire. Unit 2 is connected to the arrivals unit by a footbridge and there was evidence of fire damage along the bridge.

By 3pm the KQ had handled 31 flights, with 20 domestic flights and 11 international flights.

Air Uganda, Qatar, Emirates, Etihad and South African Airlines were some of the airlines, which had resumed international departures from Unit 2. Representatives of the airlines faced a hard time co-coordinating passenger services because most did not have information desks set up outside. Instead, most moved around the airport with placards to get their passengers to the required check-in desks, a daunting task given the volume of human traffic.

Kenya Airport Authority officials also moved around the airport to assist but their assistance was limited because there was no central place to issue information to the general public.

The status of the other airlines, especially European carriers such as Brussels Airline, Swissair was not certain as The Standard On Saturday could not get a confirmation from the airlines or officials from KAA.

John Skyback, 36, from Sweden, had visited Kenya for the first time on holiday with his wife.

The couple arrived at the airport at 10am on Friday for his flight scheduled to Doha on Qatar airlines scheduled for 1 pm. But his flight was pushed to 3pm. “I wish there was more information about the flight schedules,” he said. “I have had to call my airline and seek representatives who have told me the flight has been rescheduled.” Lack of information also created confusion for those who came to wait for passengers on international arrivals.

Pitching tent

While there is an electronic board where one can track the arrival of planes, most people waiting for relatives or friends had to ask around to for the exact schedules of planes.

Few passenger service businesses were open with many having been situated in the international arrivals building. However, some businesses such as mobile phone services provider Safaricom and Airtel made hay while the situation lasted, pitching tent to sell airtime credit and offer Wi-Fi services to passengers.

The two telecommunications firms did not miss out on a chance to market their services to the public.

Coca Cola was not to be left behind as well. It sprung up a surprise for most of the passengers and those at the airport, sending out a team of youth dressed in their colours to give out a free coke, bottled Dasani water, a free cap and hug. Kenchic, one of the only restaurants remaining, did booming business.