You are tired after an 8hr flight from abroad,and are approaching JKIA for landing. Excitement replaces the jetlag, as you look keenly forward to meet your relatives and friends in the next few minutes. Suddenly,the aircraft captain informs you and other passengers that there are no landing lights on the JKIA runaway and the flight has been thus been diverted to the nearest international airport, Mombasa - a daunting 7hr road trip away from Nbi! You now have to travel an additional 7hrs on road! A first-time tourist would be horrified. As a returning resident, you sigh and wonder what else is coming.
Isn't it time Kenya built an additional airport near Nbi, as borne out by the events that unfolded jana when the airport was plunged into darkness and flights delayed for >6hrs? Passengers missed out on connecting flights and its not clear who will pick their tabs.
I would recommend Thika - maybe the Kakuzi area:
- It is <1hr away from Nbi,
- Served by a good highway that is being
expanded,
- Miraa traders + flower farmers and other
horticultural producers dont have to come
all the way to Nbi.
- Thika is accessible from other parts of the
country by fairly good roads.
Kitengela is also fine, but unfortunately currently shares Mombasa Rd with JKIA and anything affectiing Msa Rd would also affect the airport at Kitengela. Isiolo, as someone had said in a different thread maybe fine, but is further away from Nbi.
What your take, guys?