Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Prof Judy Wakhungu commissioning the new weather station at Kisumu International Airport, August 2, 2017/ [Photo: hivisasa.com]
Kenya has crept closer to beginning direct flights to the United States of America (USA) after the fitting of a modern Automatic Weather Observing System (AWOS) at three of its international airports.
The Sh200 million worth system installed at JKIA, Eldoret and Kisumu International Airports was amid the ten international standards called category one necessary to allow for direct flights to the USA.
Prof Judy Wakhungu, the Environment Cabinet Secretary who presided over the opening of the set-up at Kisumu International Airport Wednesday, said her ministry was at work closely with the Transport Ministry to guarantee that all the necessities are met.
She observed that the installation of the AWOS has set Kenya at parity with other destinations with international airports around the world voicing optimism that straight flights to USA could be started before the closure of the year.
"The 24 hour automated system shall enhance safety in the flying industry in the country as it transmits real time weather reports for pilots before landing and before taking off," she explained.
She said the system has the capability to measure: air pressure, perspiration, solar radiation temperature, wind speed, wind direction and thunderstorms with the data being relayed after every 10 minutes.
The CS added that the development of Kisumu International Airport taxiway and installation of the AWOS at the facilities has paved way for direct flights to the two airports.
This system, she said, will also ease on congestion at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while at the same time open up Kisumu and Eldoret International Airports which she said are underutilized.
She affirmed that the government was taking weather forecasting utterly serious and will endeavor to revolutionize the Kenya Meteorological Department to make sure that it conveys timely and accurate weather information.