Ukunda to expand to boost Diani Beach tourism links

The airfield serves Diani beach at the heart of the south coast region of Kenya to the south of Mombasa and is a popular tourist resort.

Speaking at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) this morning, Kenya Airways CEO  Dr.Titus Naikuni, (pictured right)  called on the local government to invest in the infrastructure. At the moment Kenya Airways serves Mombasa – which because of ferries and traffic can mean a three-hour journey from the airport. The Ukunda airstrip is just minutes from he international hotels and is currently served by Safarilink using Cessna Caravans and a Dash-8 from its base at Wilson Airport in Nairobi.

Governor Mvurya (pictured left)  responded by announcing that plans were advancing.

Talking to African Aerospace, Mvurya said that there were two competing plans for the extension of the 1174 metre strip to enable it to be served by regional airlines.

“We have had interest from a Japanese consortium who would finance the expansion and I am meeting the permanent secretary in Nairobi on Friday to talk about the national government funding the development.

‘We want to build a terminal and enlarge the parking area,” he said.

The Kwale County is also looking to improve highways in the area and develop a link to the new airport.