Malindi airport has in the recent past been renovated and expanded to accommodate larger commercial and passenger planes. This comes after the completion of the apron that allows the manoeuvres of big aircraft such as Boeing 737.
Malindi airport according to terminology used in the airline industry, an apron is the area in the airport that is demarcated for the loading and unloading, refuelling as well as boarding of passengers into an aircraft.
About the Malindi Airport
The airport is considered a medium-sized airport and serves well Malindi town, Watamu town, Mambrui and Its Environs.
Currently, the airport has two tarmacked (bitumen) runways; Runway 8/26 and runway 17/35. The former measures about 1082 metres (3546 feet) long and 23 metres (76 feet) wide while the latter measures about 1400 metres (4600 feet) long and 30 metres (98 feet) wide.
Expansion history of Malindi Airport
The Government of Kenya spent about two million dollars (USD) which translates to 200 million Kenyan shillings in the first phase of upgrade back in 2011 and 2012. This phase of upgrade saw the rehabilitation of the two runways and the construction of a new control tower. It also saw the expansion of the terminal building of Malindi Airport.
The construction phase of Malindi Airport terminal building
Early 2016 saw the commencement of a 7.5 kilometre (5 miles) perimeter wall around the airport as well as a new parking lot that is expected to accommodate at least 500 cars.
Groundbreaking expansion of Malindi Airport
Short Haul transport aircraft that are considered large include Fokker 100, Airbus A-320, Boeing 737-300 and McDonell-Douglas MD 82 among others. Most of these planes have a wingspan of about 24-36 metres(79 – 111 feet). These are the dimensions within which the Malindi airport ranges in.
The International Civil Aviation Organization Classifies Airport of that said width to safely accommodate such kind of aircraft. There are also plans in the pipeline to increase the length of Runway 17/35 from 1400 metres to 2500 metres (8202 feet), almost double the original length.
