Skyward Express suspends all flights to Kakamega over runaway's 'poor' state

Skyward Express aircraft at the JKIA, Nairobi. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Skyward Express has suspended all flights into and out of Kakamega, over safety concerns.

In an official statement on Saturday, September 28, the local airline decried the poor state of the Kakamega airstrip, saying it risks putting its customers in harm’s way.

“Effective September 30, we are temporarily suspending all flight operations to and from Kakamega. This decision is due to the deteriorating condition of the runaway at the Kakamega Airstrip, which no longer meets our standards,” said the airline.

Affected customers will be issued with alternative arrangements.

The airstrip was reopened last year, after it was shut for renovation in 2013.

Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) revealed it spent, Sh174m on the renovation, which was meant tomallow the airstrip to accommodate larger aircrafts.