KADCO unveils strategies to make KIA the best in sub-Saharan Africa

Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA)

The operator of Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), Kilimanjaro Airports Development Company (Kadco), on Wednesday unveiled its strategies to promote the transport facility internationally.

Acting KADCO managing director Bakari Murusuri said the company has laid down a number of strategies to make the airport one of the best facility in sub-Saharan Africa.
"We want the airport one of the facility that offers competitive services in the region and the world at large, that would meet customers' demand," said Murusuri, who is also the KADCO's director of corporate services.

The move is to increase air traffic at the airport, which acts as the main gateway to northern Tanzania's tourist circuit, he said.
"We are in a serious process of attracting more airlines to start using KIA as one of their destinations," the official said, adding that KADCO will ensure that a conducive environment is created for airlines landing and taking off the airport.
He said that KADCO has put in place mechanisms to ensure security at the airport, whereby six security groups have been formed from the villages surrounding the airport.
"The idea is to make them take part in regular security patrols," he said, adding that local government authorities are well-informed on their role in ensuring the facility is secured.
The airport security committee has made drug trafficking a permanent agenda in its monthly meetings as well as increasing collaboration with airlines on exchange of crime related information.
KADCO Board Chairman Hassan Kobelloh said the number of passengers is increasing by 15 percent annually that makes the management to work harder to ensure all required facilities are in place.
Being located between the highest Africa's peak Mt. Kilimanjaro and two world heritage sites of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park, KIA serves more than 650, 000 passengers every year and the number has been going up on yearly basis.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN