– Hoteliers say if the airport remains unattended during the festive season, then tourism and hospitality sectors are going to be the biggest losers
– Stakeholders have also raised fear that other countries may follow UK and advise their citizens against using planes at Wilson Airport
– They want the government to move with speed and renovate the airport for it to remain attractive to visitors
Players in the hospitality sector have decried the state and bad reputation of Wilson International Airport; factors they have said are dealing a blow to sales in the sector.
Led by Hasnain Noorani, Managing Director (MD) for PrideInn Group of Hotels, the hoteliers urged the government to move with speed and renovate the facility for it remain attractive to international visitors.
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Hasnain Noorani, Managing Director (MD) for PrideInn Group of Hotels said Wilson Airport needed immediate attention before kick off of the festive season. Photo: Pride Inn.
Source: UGC
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Noorani singled out the travel advice issued by United Kingdom (UK) directing its citizens to avoid using planes taking off and landing at the Nairobi based airport, which he said could spell doom for hotels.
The MD expressed fear that the hospitality sector, which made money from transporting and accommodating visitors, may grind to a halt if other countries issued similar travel conditions.
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“The airport, which is mainly used for domestic and regional flights as well as charters is in need of serious attention. We are concerned about its state following several incidences. We earn from accommodating and transferring guests from the Kenyan airports.
Should they not be looked at, this will hurt our business through a severe decrease in bed occupancies within Nairobi city,” Noorani said while addressing journalists in Nairobi on Thursday, November 21.
Stakeholders in the hospitality sector say their sales are likely to drop with a greater margin if Wilson Airport is not improved. Photo: UGC.
Source: UGC
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Wilson Airport has over the recent past been on the spot following incidents that saw many questions emerge concerning quality of infrastructure at the facility.
In a separate story, TUKO.co.ke reported that a Silverstone Air plane overshot a runway at the airport and crashed near the airport injuring at least two passengers.
A Silverstone aircraft overshot a runway at the airport and crashed injuring at least two people. Photo: UGC.
Source: Facebook
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It is, however, not clear if the accident was as a result of the airport’s condition, mistake by crew or mechanical problem.
In another incident, a plane from the same airline clipped a smaller plane; an incident Silverstone’s management suggested was catalysed by congestion.
A Safarilink plane registration 5Y-SLJ on the evening of Tuesday, October 29, skidded off the runway at Wilson Airport after it experienced a tire burst. No one was injured.
A Safarilink plane experienced a tire burst at Wilson Airport. Photo: The Star.
Source: UGC
Farzana Zahir, Sales and Marketing Director PrideInn Hotels said the developments came at a time the country was expecting a tourism boom ahead of the festive season thus need for speedy restoration.
“The high tourist season has already begun and Wilson Airport may be overwhelmed with the increased number of carriers plying the region.
It’s better they speed up renovations to ensure smooth operations for our guests and tourists,” said Zahir.
A Silverstone aircraft clipped a smaller plane at the airport. The airline suggested the incident was catalysed by congestion. Photo: Screengrab.
Source: UGC
Passenger traffic at Wilson Airport, according to the hoteliers, rose by 27.8% to an all time high of 528,000 passenger in 2017, from 413, 146 in 2016.
Traffic to the airport, one of the busiest in Africa and Kenya’s second busiest, has increased by 53% to 100, 000 in 2017 from 65,000 in 2008.
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