The on-going stiff competition to construct Bugesera International Airport has seen 22 companies out of the race.
Only 11 companies now have been shortlisted of which one will be chosen to construct the outstanding airport that meets international standards.
It is expected that the airport will be completed and have its first flight by 2015 in its first phase to handle 450 passengers and also capacity to handle 15,500 tonnes of cargo annually with eight flight movement per hour during peak hours.
James Kamanzi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure (Mininfra) has said submitting tender documents for the construction of the airport will be done this week.
“The next step, most likely before the end of this week, is to submit Request For Proposal (RFP) to the companies so they can send their technical and financial proposals”. Kamanzi said.
Bugesera International Airport will come complementing Kigali International Airport which is overwhelmed with the current air traffic.
For instance in 2009, when RwandAir Jet Crashed into VIP Terminal, traffic in and out of Kigali through the only major gateway Kigali International Airport became interrupted due to lack of another alternative runway where planes could be diverted.
Rwanda has experienced a drastic increase in air traffic due to tourism and increased economic activities making the existing airport outdated and having no expansion room due to too close expanding urban center.
In 2009, Kigali International Airport registered a 15 percent growth in passenger volume projecting over 300,000 passengers expected to gradually increase each year.
“Our cargo traffic- exports and imports have also grown tremendously. Our flights have also increased, in value and volume,” Dr. Richard Masozera, Director General of Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority was quoted as saying previously.
Surrounding areas like Kanombe, Kabeza, Samuduha and Kimironko have been residentially developed that there is no room for the airport expansion.
An extensive feasibility study where the airport be built has been done for the area where Bugesera Airport, a 40 kilometers distance towards southern Kigali City, across Nyabarongo River in Bugesera District.
At least US$8.5 million has already been spent on the feasibility studies, architectural designs and review International Civil Aviation Organization.
The first phase of the project is expected to cost about US$450 million and while Phase II is budgeted to cost US$250 million for a total of US$700 million in whole project.
ENDS
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