Kigali, 2 June 2020:  The Kigali International Airport is undergoing expansion works to address congestion issues.  The number of flights to and from the airport has outstripped its optimal capacity, calling for expansion as a short-term solution to the increased number of flights and passengers passing through the airport.

Main sections under renovation include the expansion of arrival terminal, runway strip grading, the apron and service road. The new airport apron – an airport parking – is 53,000 square meters with capacity to accommodate 18 aircraft. Next to it, is a newly completed arrivals terminal for domestic flights, those that are operated by the national carrier to and from local airports like Kamembe in Rusizi or Rubavu, among others.

To the other side, a runway strip grading is taking place, while a few metres away, installation of public lighting is in progress on a new service road which stretches 3.3 kilometres.

Kigali International Airport, one of the continent’s top recognised airports, has received a boost in the recent months as Rwanda was preparing to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2020.

According to the Minister of infrastructure, Honorable Claver Gatete, the expansion works of the airport kicked off in September as part of the broader efforts to prepare for CHOGM, which was postponed due to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.

Minister Gatete said it was generally important to invest in increasing the airport given the growing demand for aviation services. “We have to expand and have this airport working because of the increasing number of passengers. It’s not just the passengers but also the cargo services,” he noted.

Recent maintenance and upgrade activities were meant to reduce congestion at the check in and arrival areas, expand the departure lounge area, increase VIP comfort, and enhance baggage handling efficiency.

He added that the new service road is meant to curtail risks like accidents that may occur when vehicles are crisscrossing around the airport ground as planes are landing or taking off. On the other hand, the strip grading is meant to avoid runway incursion, – any occurrence involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft on the protected area of a surface designated for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.

At the airport main building, construction crews are working on an arrivals terminal meant to increase passenger area space, to avoid long queues and comply with internationally accepted standards.

The aviation sector is crucial pillar in developing the country’s transport and enhancing connectivity in the regionally and globally. The focus also is put on completing the construction of the New Bugesera Airport which is going to be of its kind on the continent. In 2019, Kigali International Airport processed at least 1.2 million arrivals, this lead to the increase of financial resources towards building aviation.

Over $30 million was invested in the upgrade of the airport during 2014 and 2017, allowing it to have a new apron, three taxiways, a hangar and an upcoming upgrade of airfield lighting.

Another project seen as critical is the expansion of parking area for ground support equipment, which will be eight times larger than the existing area.

Construction works on the existing arrivals terminal, which was mixed-use, are expected to be completed by end of June 2020, and once done, the new facility will be in conformity with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and regulations.“The terminal is being upgraded to expand the arrivals processing area, and reduce queues to comply with ICAO standards. The existing apron was able to accommodate about 26 aircraft, according to airport officials, but with the newly added apron, the parking capacity will increase to accommodate 44 aircraft.