The Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) Congestion Alleviation project will kick off on 23 September and will focus on expanding the airport terminal building infrastructure to the value of N$ 250 Million, it was announced during a ground-breaking ceremony on Monday morning at the airport.

At a ground-breaking event that took place at the airport and officiated by Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia Airports Company Board of Directors Chairman Dr. Leake Hangala revealed that the airport contractor will be Nexus Building Contractors and they will be joined by other  100% Namibian owned companies for the project.

“This project  is aimed at doubling the handling capacity of the airport to accommodate increased passenger movements up until 2030. This includes but not limited to the increase in check-in counters to a total of 18 counters with additional five self-service check-in kiosks; an in increase in the departure security screening points from three to five, amongst others” Dr. Hangala said.

 The project will also see an increase in the departure immigration counters form the current three to seven counters while the departure hall will be increased in size to accommodate the growing passenger movement at the airport.

On arrival, the new departure hall, as an extension to the existing terminal will also see increased space for movement and 17 immigrations counters as compared to the current eight while the baggage reclaim hall will be expanded and be fitted with three modern carousels, Dr. Hangala announced.

Keynote speaker Hon, Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also the chairman of the Cabinet Special Committee on HKIA Expansion emphasized the need to upgrade the airport.

“It is important for the government to create an enabling environment to support air transport to benefit from the projected growth in the matter estimated by the Airport Council International which estimates that emerging and developing economies will account for over 60% of all passenger movements traffic by 2040”.

Hon. Nandi-Ndaitwah called on the contractor to ensure that the work is finalized on time and within budget and wished all parties involved well.

NAC CEO Bisey /Uirab expressed his joy at the project as well.

“This is a great day for Namibia as it announces the beginning of a new dawn in the aviation sector in our country. We share the frustrations endured by the travelers as a result of the infrastructure and facility limitations at our flagship International Airport”.

/Uirab added that the international routes added to the Hosea Kutako International Airport in 2016 evidently increased passenger demand that necessitated us to increase efficiency and capacity at the airport through this congestion alleviation project.

“It is our distinct expectation that once this project is completed, both the NAC employees and all other service providers at this airport will put in concerted efforts to up their service delivery to our esteemed travelers and customers in order to ensure that they leave this airport with the best, memorable experience”.

The project is expected to be completed by end of September 2020.