Information
Landmark: Isiolo AirportCity: Isiolo
Country: Kenya
Continent: Africa
Isiolo Airport, Isiolo, Kenya, Africa
Overview
Isiolo International Airport (ICAO: HKIS) sits in a prime spot in Isiolo County, Kenya, about 283 kilometers northeast of Nairobi’s bustling Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.It’s a vital part of the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, designed to boost trade links and knit the region’s economies together, from coastal docks to inland markets.🛬 Airport Overview Location: Borders Isiolo and Meru counties, situated about 1 km southeast of Isiolo Town.🛬 Airport Overview: Just a kilometer southeast of Isiolo Town, the airport straddles the border between Isiolo and Meru counties, with the town’s rooftops visible from its edge.The elevation is about 3,768 feet-1,148 meters-above sea level, high enough for the air to feel crisp and cool.The airport has a single asphalt runway, 16/34, stretching 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) - long enough for Code C jets like a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A320 to touch down with a squeal of tires.The passenger terminal spans about 5,000 m² and can handle up to 125,000 travelers a year-enough to keep the check-in counters buzzing through the summer rush.The facilities feature nine check-in counters, a quiet VIP lounge, banking and ATM services, foreign exchange bureaus, and offices for the airlines.🏗️ Development and Upgrades Phase 1 (2011–2013): Construction of a 1.4 km runway, apron, taxiways, and safety works.The Kenya Airports Authority owns and runs it, right down to the bustling gates and echo of rolling suitcases.From 2011 to 2013, crews built a 1.4‑kilometer runway, along with an apron, taxiways, and safety features-the sharp smell of fresh asphalt hanging in the air.From 2013 to 2016, Phase 2 added a bright new passenger terminal, a fresh stretch of car parking, modern administration offices, and a set of support facilities ready for daily bustle.✈️ Operations and Connectivity Current Status: Operational for non-scheduled flights and cargo operations.Phase 3 (2014–2016) saw crews build new access roads, widen the apron, and lay drainage lines that carried rainwater away from the site.The proposed upgrades include extending the runway to 3.5 km, repairing worn pavement, and improving drainage so rainwater flows off quickly.🛠️ Future Prospects Expansion Plans: Ongoing efforts to secure funding for runway extension, infrastructure development, and operational enhancements.✈️ We’re up and running-handling cargo and unscheduled flights without a hitch, from crates of fresh oranges to urgent equipment deliveries.This key stretch of the LAPSSET Corridor links Kenya with South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda, moving goods and people-like trucks loaded with fresh coffee-across borders with ease.
