Chileka International Airport upgrading to end in October
Government will in October, 2018 finalize the project of upgrading Chileka International Airport (CIA) in the Commercial City of Blantyre to attain the status of international standards.
Initial works at CIA started on April 26, 2011 but it has delayed due to financial challenges, according to Ministry of Transport and Public Works Spokesperson, James Chakwera.
“The rehabilitation work started a number of years ago. The project is funded by government and we have had challenges with funding to complete it on time,” he explained.
In an interview, Chakwera said currently about 90 per cent of work has been done and that the project is expected to be completed in the next two months.
“There is much progress with regards to the rehabilitation works at Chileka Airport. Right now, finishing touches on the main structures including plumbing and electrical works is in progress.
“Among the electrical works will be the fitting of elevators which have now arrived at the airport. The project should be finalized in the next two,” he assured.
Chakwera added that CIA is one of the main gateways to Malawi by air and that government expects an improved and a complete facelift of the facility.
Built in 1952 by the British, Chileka is the second largest airport in the country and has been handling ever increasing passenger traffics and flights despite the facility only having two intersecting runways.
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The project has taken more than 11 years….just rehabilitation works
DZUKANIAMALAWI I totally agree with you. I wonder that the people that represent malawi at high level they are not doing justice their minds are and yet the people on grassroot they love the country. I tell you it’s a shame. I watched the Malawi queens here in Lusaka last week they lost to Uganda for the 3rd time in a row( not learning).
When people say Blantyre is a commercial city, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. And when they call Chileka an international airport, I want to vomit. I once landed there on a flight from Addis Ababa and I almost fainted due to the backwardness of the place. I don’t know what it feels like when you land there from Johannesburg or Nairobi
You got it!
I have flown the J’Burg many times, and every time Chileka looks like a motor cycle raceway, compared to OR Tambo.
And my friends from the Americas, just think the whole country is a village, based on the impressions they get when they land at Chileka. Same sentiments when they land in Lilongwe. We are sooooooo backwards!
WE DON’T LOVE OUR COUNTRY !!! IS THIS REALLY AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ??
All of a sudden we have projects everywhere.
Is this what Peter was referring to as European standards? Chileka Airport was an embarrassment to Malawi and will still be after the refurbishment. This is what I don’t understand with Malawi. The people who approved the new design have travelled all over the world….have been educated all over the world and the architects have probably designed structures all over the world which are modern and pleasing to the eye. Why then is it that when it comes to applying their knowledge and exposure, they keep failing the Malawi people. Malawi has only two main international airports and these are… Read more »
No love for the country. Steal, steal and steal. Old timers won’t allow for new ideas and designed to be implemented since they haven’t been tried and tested according to one insider. It’s the mentality in Malawi.
Very disappointing that it can take 7 years to renovate Chileka Airport, one of the busy places
in this part of Africa. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME To you all who are in Government
Ati Chilima amanga ina
Chakwera don’t be used by politicians in reaction to criticism made by SCK. There is nothing worth mentioning about the progress of rehabilitation at Chileka Airport. The new Chinese made toilet fittings are already broken and there is no water to flush the toilets and yet works has taken 7 years now.