CAPTION: A Kenya Airways plane taking off at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. newsday.co.zw
Wajir airport management has protested government's recent move to revive flights between Nairobi and Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.
The airport's manager, Charles Kiong'a said on Tuesday the move will negatively affect aviation business in Wajir County.
"There will be no need for travelers flying between Nairobi and Mogadishu to stop over in Wajir, we will lose a lot of revenue," he said.
Kiang'a said the airstrip collected Sh531,300 weekly from the planes which amounted to Sh2,125,200 monthly in terms of revenue.
Juba Airways, African Express, East Africa Safaris Express, Freedom Airline, Ocean and Fan Jet Express are some of the aviation companies whose planes landed at Wajir airport from Somalia before proceeding to Nairobi.
The direct flights' nod followed a visit by the newly-elected Somali President Mohamed Ali Mohamed to Kenya in March where the agreement was reached by the two countries in a bid to strengthen diplomatic and trade ties between the pair.
Planes from Mogadishu had to pass through Wajir for security checks and secreening before proceeding to Nairobi after a directive by then President Mwai Kibaki.
The directive followed growing threats by Somalia-based militant group Al-Shabaab.